I am going to measure the width of our board in hand-spans. Then one of you will measure the very same board in your hand-spans.
Hands up if you think we will get the same number.
Same board: about 6 hand-spans and about 9 hand-spans. Hands come in different sizes, so the counts disagree.
This stick is one metre. Every metre stick is the same length, so everyone gets the same answer.
Watch each object land against the metre stick. Is it longer than a metre, shorter than a metre, or about a metre?
Today we sort objects from around our school against the metre stick.
Is each one longer than a metre, shorter than a metre, or about a metre?
One of you sorts at the board. Everyone else watches and helps decide.
In your maths copy, write one thing in our room longer than a metre and one thing shorter. One word or a short phrase each is enough.
Sort each object against the metre stick: longer, shorter, or about the same length as a metre?
Take turns at the board. How do you know?
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