How to Measure Length
Warm Up:
Using what you learned and saw when creating the prefix models; describe the pattern that you see among all of the prefixes. How are they similar? (Hint: think about the mathematical pattern)
CW:
1) Measurement Warm
UP
2) How to Measure
Length Notes
HW:
1) Reading a Ruler
Worksheet

“I’m ten times better than the Standard system of measurement!”

If you can multiply & divide by 10 (or any power of 10), then the metric system will be easy for you.

THE METER
The meter is the starting point for the metric system.
START

Here’s a meter stick!

It takes 10 decimeters to make up 1 meter.

It takes 10 centimeters to make up 1 decimeter.

If 1 meter = 10 decimeters and
1 decimeter = 10 centimeters then how many centimeters make up 1 meter?

100centimeters = 1 meter

It takes 10 millimeters to make up 1 centimeter.
Boy, that’s small!

If 1 meter = 10 decimeters and
1 decimeter = 10 centimeters and
1centimeter = 10 millimeters then how many millimeters make up 1 meter?

It takes 10 millimeters to make up 1 centimeter.
Millimeters are so small that they almost run together.

This is a magnified image of a ruler/meter stick.
1 2 3 4
This is one centimeter.

This is a magnified image of a ruler/meter stick.
1 2 3 4
This is half of a centimeter.

This is a magnified image of a ruler/meter stick.
1 2 3 4
This is one millimeter.

This key measures 3 cm.
1 2 3 4

Or you could say that it measures
30 mm.
1 2 3 4

This key measures 2.5 cm.
1 2 3 4

Or, you could say that it measures
25 mm.
1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4
This toy car measures 4.2 cm.

1 2 3 4
Or, you could say it measures 42 mm.

The metric system deals with powers of 10
1 meter =
10 decimeters =
100 centimeters =
1000 millimeters

How many centimeters make up 2 meters?

That’s right! There are
200 centimeters in 2 meters.

How many millimeters make up 2 meters?

That’s right! There are
2000 millimeters in 2 meters.

How many decimeters make up 2 meters?

That’s right! There are
20 decimeters in 2 meters.

The metric system really is 10 times better than our standard system of measurement. It is very easy to convert from one unit to another.

You must simply multiply by 10, 100, or
1000.
OR
You must simply divide by 10, 100, or 1000.

The end.