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Skills Covered

  • Measure length in whole inches and centimeters
  • Find how much longer one object is than another
  • Show a difference as jumps on a number line
  • Add and subtract lengths within 100
  • Solve one- and two-step length story problems
  • Estimate lengths in inches, feet, yards, centimeters, and meters

How to Use This Pack

Five pages about comparing lengths. On pages 1 and 2 every object lies on its own ruler with its end at 0, in inches and then in centimeters: students write both lengths, then how much longer one is. Page 3 has four length story problems with a number line under each, where students show the jumps from one length to the other. Page 4 has six story problems in inches, feet, yards, centimeters, and meters, some with two steps. Page 5 asks for the best estimate of real things, like a crayon, a door, and a football field.

In the Classroom

Before page 1, have partners measure two pencils or two crayons with real rulers and tell how much longer one is. Page 3 works well on the board first: jump to the next ten, then by tens, then by ones, and add up the jumps together.

At Home

Measure two spoons, two shoes, or two toys with a ruler and ask how much longer one is. On page 5, find the real thing at home and check the estimate together.

Tips for Success

  • Check that the end of each object lines up with the 0 on the ruler
  • Read the number under the other end of the object
  • On a number line, a jump to the next ten makes the rest easy
  • Always write the unit with the answer: inches, feet, centimeters, or meters

Common Core Standards Alignment

This pack supports the following Common Core State Standards for Mathematics:

  • 2.MD.A.1 Choose a suitable tool, such as a ruler, yardstick, meter stick or tape measure, and use it to measure length.
  • 2.MD.A.2 Measure one object with two different units, such as inches and centimeters, and explain why a smaller unit gives a bigger number.
  • 2.MD.A.3 Make sensible guesses of lengths in inches, feet, centimeters and meters.
  • 2.MD.A.4 Measure two objects and find the difference in their lengths in a standard unit.
  • 2.MD.B.5 Solve story problems about lengths in the same unit, adding or subtracting within 100, with drawings like rulers and equations.
  • 2.MD.D.9 Measure several objects, or one object several times, in whole units and display the results on a line plot.

© Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved.

Comparing Lengths: How Much Longer?

Grade 2nd

A 5-page measurement pack for 2nd grade. Measure two objects with an inch ruler and with a centimeter ruler and find how much longer one is, show length story problems as jumps on a number line, add and subtract lengths in inches, feet, yards, centimeters, and meters, and circle the best estimate for real things. Answer keys included.

Download PDF

What’s Included

  • 5 worksheets, each with a matching answer key (10 pages)
  • Measure-and-compare pages with inch and centimeter rulers
  • Length story problems on number lines, plus mixed-unit word problems
  • A best-estimate page for real-world lengths
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