Length and height - Using a ruler - Presentation

The importance of using a ruler for measuring length and height is the central theme of a series of Fluency & Reasoning Teaching Slides. The slides begin by asking students what they already know about measuring and if they can think of an item that starts with 'r' for measuring—leading to the revelation of a ruler. The lesson aims to explain why rulers are the preferred tool for measuring, as opposed to using arbitrary objects like leaves or paperclips. One slide illustrates a scenario where a stick is measured with leaves, highlighting the potential for confusion and inconsistency when not using a standardized tool like a ruler.

Further slides emphasize the advantages of using a ruler for measurement, such as the ability to compare different objects easily and the avoidance of gaps that can occur when using non-standard units. The lesson also humorously points out the impracticality of asking for lengths of material in non-standard units like 'paperclips' or 'leaves' in real-world situations. Students are then guided through the correct use of a ruler, ensuring they start at zero to avoid inaccuracies. Activities encourage students to practice measuring objects with a ruler, starting from different numbers and discussing their findings. The lesson also covers how to deal with measurements that don't land exactly on a whole number, teaching the terminology 'closest to...' or 'almost...' to describe such measurements.