Measurement with Nonstandard Units

Grade 1 · Math · Study Guide

Learn how to measure the length of objects using everyday items like paper clips and cubes.

Measurement is how we find out how long, tall, or wide something is. We can use rulers and measuring tapes, but we can also use everyday objects to measure — these are called nonstandard units.

Nonstandard units are objects that are not official measuring tools. Things like paper clips, cubes, crayons, pencils, or even your own hand can be used to measure! We line them up end to end next to the object we want to measure and count how many fit.

For example, if a book is 6 paper clips long, we say the book is 6 paper clips long. The important thing is that all the nonstandard units used are the same size. You cannot mix a large paper clip with a small one, because your count will not be accurate.

When you measure, start at one end of the object and line up your units without any gaps and without overlapping them. Count each unit carefully.

Different nonstandard units will give different numbers for the same object. A pencil might be 7 small cubes long or only 3 large blocks long. This is why scientists use standard units (like inches or centimeters) so everyone gets the same answer — but nonstandard units are a great way to start learning how measurement works!

Key terms

measurement: Finding out how long, tall, or wide something is by comparing it to a unit
nonstandard units: Everyday objects used to measure, like paper clips, cubes, or crayons
length: How long something is from one end to the other
unit: One object or amount used repeatedly to measure something
estimate: A careful guess about how long something might be before measuring

Flashcards

Nonstandard unit: An everyday object used to measure, like a paper clip, cube, or crayon
How do you measure with nonstandard units?: Line up units end to end with no gaps from one end of the object to the other, then count
Length: How long something is from one end to the other
Why must all units be the same size?: So the measurement is accurate and not off because of differently sized pieces
If a shoe is 6 cubes long, what does that mean?: It takes 6 cubes placed end to end to equal the length of the shoe
Estimate: A careful guess about how long something is before you actually measure it
Which unit gives a bigger number: small cubes or large blocks?: Small cubes — smaller units fit more times, giving a larger count
What would happen if you left gaps between units when measuring?: The measurement would be too small and not accurate

Questions

A pencil is measured using paper clips. There are 5 paper clips lined up from one end to the other. How long is the pencil?
1. 5 cubes long
2. 5 crayons long
3. 5 paper clips long
4. 5 inches long
Show answer
Answer: 5 paper clips long
When measuring with paper clips, we report the measurement in the units used. The pencil is 5 paper clips long.
When measuring with nonstandard units, you can mix big and small versions of the same object.
Show answer
Answer: False
All units must be the same size for an accurate measurement. Mixing big and small paper clips would give an incorrect answer.
Why do we line up units without gaps when measuring?
1. To make them look nice
2. To get an accurate measurement
3. To use fewer units
4. To measure height
Show answer
Answer: To get an accurate measurement
Lining up units without gaps gives an accurate measurement of the object's true length.
A book is 8 ___ long (using small cubes).
Show answer
Answer: cubes
When measuring with small cubes, we say the object is a certain number of cubes long.
Anna measures a table using her crayons. She uses 4 crayons. Ben measures the same table using bigger blocks. He might use:
1. More blocks than crayons
2. Fewer blocks than crayons
3. The same number
4. Zero blocks
Show answer
Answer: Fewer blocks than crayons
Larger units cover more distance per unit, so you need fewer of them to measure the same length.

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