1Line up one end to compare length
To compare the length of two objects, it's important to line up one end of each. Then you can see right away which one sticks out further at the other end, and know which one is longer.
With one end lined up (dashed line), the bar that reaches further — the top one — is longer
2Compare weight by holding, or with a scale
Hold one object in each hand and you can feel which one is heavier. Tools that tip toward the heavier side, like a seesaw or a balance scale, let you compare even more precisely.
Lengthline up one end and compare
Weighthold in your hands or use a scale
3Compare area by overlapping or counting squares
Overlap two shapes, and whichever one completely covers the other is the bigger one. When they're hard to overlap, divide them into equal-sized squares and count how many squares each one fills.
4Compare volume by pouring into the same container
Volume is how much a container can hold inside it. To compare the volume of two differently-shaped containers accurately, pour the contents of each into identical cups and compare the height.
Areaoverlap or count squares
Volumepour into the same container
5Comparing is the first step of measuring
For now, it's enough to know "bigger" or "smaller."
Units like cm and kg come later. Right now, what matters far more is building a sense for looking at two things and judging which one is bigger.
Units like cm and kg come later. Right now, what matters far more is building a sense for looking at two things and judging which one is bigger.
6Try playing like this
- Try it yourself with the sliders. Change the size of A and B and see how the result sentence changes.
- Go through all four tabs. Compare how length, weight, area, and volume are each shown as a picture.
- Compare things at home too. Pick two objects and try holding them or lining them up side by side.