How Many Hands?
Word of the day: measure
“How long is the couch? Not in inches. In YOUR hands.”
Grab
- their hands and feet
- your hands and feet
- a toy or a LEGO brick as another unit
- a tape measure for the end
Do
- Measure the table in their hands, walking them along. Count out loud.
- Now you measure the same table in your hands. Different number!
- Lie them on the floor and measure them in LEGO bricks or shoes.
- Pull out the tape measure and show them that everyone's inch is the same size.
The big moment
Same table, two different answers.
Ask (guess first, then try)
- Why did I get a smaller number than you?
- Is it fair if everyone uses their own hands?
What's going on (for you)
Measuring means counting how many of one unit fit. Bigger units give smaller numbers. Because everyone's hands are different, people agreed on standard units like the inch and the meter so measurements match.
If they want more
Mark their height on a door frame and date it. Measure again in a few months.