Mission 1: Measurement Tool Detectives

Standards: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.MD.A.1

Mission: Look for clues. Choose the tool that fits the object best.

Answers: A: ____ B: ____ C: ____ D: ____

Detective support: A ruler is small. A yardstick is 3 feet long. A meter stick is about 1 meter long. Measuring tape can bend or stretch around objects.

Optional challenge: Name another object that would be best measured with a measuring tape.

Teacher key: 1. A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3. 2. Measuring tape. Challenge answers will vary.

Mission 2: Estimate and Measure

Standards: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.MD.A.1, 2.MD.A.2, 2.MD.A.3

Mission: Make a smart estimate. Then measure carefully and record your clues.

Object 1: ____________________   Estimate: ______ inches   Measure: ______ inches

Object 2: ____________________   Estimate: ______ feet   Measure: ______ feet

Small object: ____________________   ______ centimeters

Longer object: ____________________   ______ meters

Partner challenge: One partner estimates. The other partner measures. Switch jobs and compare whose estimate was closer.

Detective support: Start at zero on the ruler. Keep the ruler straight. Write the unit after every number.

Optional challenge: Find an object whose measured length is within 2 units of your estimate.

Teacher key: 3–4. Answers will vary. Check that students choose suitable units, begin at zero, and record reasonable measurements.

Mission 3: Same Object, Different Units

Standards: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.MD.A.2, 2.MD.A.3

Mission: The object stays the same, but the unit changes. Find the secret!

Using paper clips: The pencil is ______ paper clips long.

Using inches: The pencil is ______ inches long.

The numbers are different because the units are ______________________________.

Visual clue: A small unit needs more pieces. A large unit needs fewer pieces.

Partner challenge: Measure the same book with hand spans and inches. Compare your results with a partner.

Optional challenge: Which unit would give the larger number: inches or feet? Explain.

Teacher key: 5. Answers will vary. 6. Accept “different sizes” or “one unit is smaller/larger.” Optional challenge: inches, because an inch is smaller than a foot.

Mission 4: Compare Lengths

Standards: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.MD.A.3, 2.MD.A.4

Mission: Compare two lengths. Find the difference and show it with a drawing.

Object A: ____________________   ______ inches

Object B: ____________________   ______ inches

Object ______ is longer. It is ______ inches longer.

Equation: ______ − ______ = ______ inches

Detective support: Put the longer length first. Subtract the shorter length to find the difference.

Optional challenge: Write a comparison sentence using the words “longer than” or “shorter than.”

Teacher key: 7. Answers will vary; check subtraction and unit labels. 8. 18 − 11 = 7 inches. The desk is 7 inches longer. Challenge: Answers should match the measurements.

Mission 5: Measurement Route Challenge

Standards: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.MD.A.4, 2.MD.B.5

Mission: Solve the route clues, then design your own classroom detective route.

Equation: ______ + ______ = ______ feet

Equation: ______ + ______ = ______ feet

Stop 1: ____________________ to ____________________   ______ feet

Stop 2: ____________________ to ____________________   ______ feet

Stop 3: ____________________ to ____________________   ______ feet

Total route: ______ + ______ + ______ = ______ feet

Detective support: Circle each stop as you reach it. Add one part at a time. Keep the total less than 100 feet.

Optional challenge: Create a second route that is shorter than your first route. How many feet shorter is it?

Teacher key: 9. 24 + 16 = 40 feet. 10. 35 + 12 = 47 feet. 11. Answers will vary; check that the route has three measured parts and a correct total.