An inchworm convinces some hungry
birds that he ought not to be eaten because he is a useful measuring
tool. After measuring the tails, necks, beaks, and legs of various
birds, the inchworm is challenged by a nightingale to measure
its song, or he will be eaten. The inchworm cleverly responds
by "inching" out of the situation.
Mathematical Concept: Measuring length in standard units
Shared Reading
Display the cover illustration, and ask children to identify
the creature pictured. Ask children to tell how they think
the title of the book is related to the creature.
After reading the story, give each child a 1-inch piece
of green yarn. Ask children to pretend their yarn pieces
are inchworms. Have them place a finger at each end of the
yarn, and move the yarn the way the inchworm moved. Then
have them use the yarn to find the length of a book in inches.
Math Activities How Do Our Pencils Measure Up?
Remind children that the inchworm uses his body to measure
inches. Ask them to tell what tool we use to measure inches
(ruler). Provide groups of four children with an inch-ruler,
and paper
for recording. Have groups label two columns on the paper:
length in inches and number of pencils. Ask children
to gather all of the pencils that belong to the group members,
measure each one to the nearest inch, and record the measures.
Combine the information from each to make a class graph titled
How Do Our Pencils Measure Up?
Scavenger Hunt
Divide children into small groups. Give each group an activity
sheet
and a measuring tape. Explain that in this scavenger hunt,
children will be gathering measurements instead of objects.
They'll need to find objects that are 1-, 2-, and 3-feet high,
objects that are 1-, 2-, and 3-feet-long, and objects that
are 1-, 2-, and 3-feet around. Challenge children to look
for objects they think no one else will find. Each group should
record at least one object for each measurement listed on
the activity sheet. At the end of the day or week, let children
share their findings. Look for the most common and most unusual
entries for each measurement.
for recording. Have groups label two columns on the paper:
length in inches and number of pencils. Ask children
to gather all of the pencils that belong to the group members,
measure each one to the nearest inch, and record the measures.
Combine the information from each to make a class graph titled
How Do Our Pencils Measure Up?
