Mathematics
Grade 1
Measure to the Nearest Inch
and Centimeter
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Dear Parent or Guardian:
Your child is currently learning to measure using inch and
centimeter rulers. Here is your chance to help your child practice
this important skill.
In this PAL Packet you will find a short activity for you and your
child to do. Please do the activity and The Back Page this evening.
Then sign your name on The Back Page and have your child return it
tomorrow.
Remember, parents are a child’s first teacher. Thank you for your
time and energy in making learning fun and exciting for your child.
Sincerely,
_________________________
Your child’s teacher
Grade 1 – Measure to the Nearest Inch and Centimeter
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
1
Last printed 8/30/04
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INCHES AND CENTIMETERS
Parent Pointer —
Knowing how to measure using rulers is a concept that is used
throughout life. Your child will be using rulers in every grade during
school, and not only in math class! Rulers will be used to create
timelines in social studies and for experiments in science.
Understanding how to use rulers and other measurement tools will aid
your child in doing everything from putting up wallpaper to finding out
how far a baseball was thrown. Measuring using inches and centimeters
is a skill your child needs to understand and use, since it is a basic skill
that will continue to be built on as the years go by.
Math in the Home, on the Go, and for the Fun of It —
DIRECTIONS: Read through the Inches and Centimeters reference
sheet with your child. Go step by step to make sure he or she
understands how to measure to the nearest inch and centimeter. Take
time to discuss the “Think about it” questions at the bottom of the
page. Encourage your child to look around the house and outside to
find items that are one inch or one centimeter. Then, move on to the
How Long Is It? activity page, where you will be measuring different
objects using both inch and centimeter rulers.
Talk about It —
After you have finished the activity, turn to The Back Page to have
your child show what he or she knows.
Now go have some fun with the activity! (
Grade 1 – Measure to the Nearest Inch and Centimeter
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
2
Last printed 8/30/04
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Inches and Centimeters
Rulers
One kind of ruler uses inches.
An inch is about the size of a quarter.
Another kind of ruler uses centimeters.
A centimeter is about as thick as your crayon.
Let’s Measure
When you measure using a ruler, you place the left side of the
ruler even with the left side of the object. Then you read the
number that is closest to the right side of the object.
Let’s measure how many inches long this pencil is. The pencil is lined up
on the left side with the ruler. We read the number that the right
side of the pencil is closest to, 5. The pencil is about 5 inches long!
1
in
2
3
4
5
6
You measure the same way with a centimeter ruler.
About how many centimeters long is the marker?
cm
1
2
3
4
5
Think about it:
6
7
8
9
10
11
12 13 14
What else is about the size of 1 inch?
What else is about the size of 1 centimeter?
Grade 1 – Measure to the Nearest Inch and Centimeter
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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Last printed 8/30/04
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Write your measurements on
the lines.
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
☺
7
4
in
cm
1
1
2
3
2
5
6
3
8
Remind your child to look for
the number that is closest to
the right side of the object.
7
☺
6
Take turns measuring each
object on the next page.
Some questions ask for a
measurement in inches;
others ask for centimeters.
5
☺
4
Directions:
Cut out the rulers, or
use your own rulers.
8
How Long Is It?
Grade 1 – Measure to the Nearest Inch and Centimeter
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
4
Last printed 8/30/04
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How Long Is It?
(continued)
I
♥
2
R
E
A
D
_____ centimeters
_____ inches
_____ centimeters
_____ centimeters
_____ inches
_____ inches
Grade 1 – Measure to the Nearest Inch and Centimeter
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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Last printed 8/30/04
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The Back Page
Talk about It
Parent —
Ask your child the following question:
What steps do you need to take when you measure
with a ruler?
Write your child’s answer to the above question on the
reverse side of this page.
OR
Do one of the following activities on the reverse side of
this page:
Have your child use rulers to measure different
objects inside and outside your home. Then have him
or her write down each object measured and its
length. Some of the objects should be measured with
the inch ruler and some should be measured with the
centimeter ruler.
Have your child draw a line that is 7 inches long and
another that is 7 centimeters long. Make sure he or
she labels each line.
__________________________ _________________________
Student’s Name
Parent or Guardian’s Signature
Grade 1 – Measure to the Nearest Inch and Centimeter
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
6
Last printed 8/30/04