Literature Stations - exploring stories that teach measurement
For each of the books, discuss with students how measurement helped the main characters and ask them to think about why it's important that we understand how to use different types (length, weight, volume) and units (metric and imperial) of measurement.
Measuring Penny by Loreen Leedy
In this story, Lisa is given a math assignment to measure something at home--so she chooses her dog, Penny. Throughout the book, Lisa measures Penny's height, weight, speed and more using the usual metric and imperial systems. Penny even decides to use her own system of measurement, like dog treats!
Source: Leedy, L. (1997). Measuring penny. New York: Henry Holt and Company.
Fannie in the Kitchen by Deborah Hopkinson
The beginning of the book introduces Fannie Farmer, a cook who will be Marcia's mother's new assistant. Though Marcia is sad at first at someone taking her place as her mother's helper, Fannie Farmer suggests they work together, and things change for the better. As the two cook and bake recipes, Marcia learns the importance of measurements and how they makes things exact and easy to replicate.
Source: Hopkinson, D. (1999). Fannie in the kitchen. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division.
Me and the Measure of Things by John Sweeney
Children who read this book will be challenged to think about situations in which they'd have to measure objects of different sizes and weights. The narrator explains that sometimes it's better to use larger or smaller units of measurement to make things easier. We follow along with the narrator and explore when an object becomes too big for ounces or too small for pounds as well as what measurements of length are most appropriate for different heights.
Source: Sweeney, J. (2001). Me and the measure of things. New York: Dell Dragonfly Books.
Source: Sweeney, J. (2001). Me and the measure of things. New York: Dell Dragonfly Books.