Lesson 6.1 · Measurement and Data
Longer and shorter
Some things are long, like a jump rope. Some things are short, like a crayon. You can tell which of two things is longer by putting them side by side.
Line them up
To compare two things, start them at the same place. Then look at the other end.
- The one that sticks out more is longer.
- The other one is shorter.
- If the ends match, they are the same length.
Start at the same line
Line up one end of each thing. The one that goes farther is longer.
Cube trains
We can build trains out of cubes. Each train starts at the left.
🟦 🟦 🟦 🟦 🟦
🟥 🟥 🟥
The blue train goes farther. The blue train is longer. The red train is shorter.
Worked example: Two trains
Which train is longer?
🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩
🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨
Both start at the left. The yellow train goes farther. The yellow train is longer.
Worked example: The same length
Compare the trains.
🟪 🟪 🟪
🟧 🟧 🟧
The ends match. The trains are the same length.
Worked example: Which is shortest?
Which train is the shortest?
🟦 🟦 🟦 🟦
🟥 🟥
🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩
The red train stops first. The red train is the shortest.
Common mistake
Always start at the same place! A short stick can look long if it starts farther ahead.
Tip
Tall and short are words for how high something stands. A giraffe is tall. A mouse is short.
Practice
Which train is longer?
🟦 🟦 🟦 🟦 🟦 🟦
🟥 🟥 🟥
Which train is shorter?
🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩
🟨 🟨
Compare the trains.
🟪 🟪 🟪 🟪
🟧 🟧 🟧 🟧
Which is usually longer?
Which is taller?
Which train is the longest?
🟦 🟦 🟦
🟥 🟥 🟥 🟥 🟥
🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩
Mia's ribbon is longer than Sam's ribbon. Whose ribbon is shorter?