Compare & Measure Lengths


Related Topics:
More Lessons for Grade 1
Common Core for Grade 1




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Videos, solutions, examples and songs to help Grade 1 kids learn how to order three objects by length and compare the lengths of two objects indirectly by using a third object.

Express the length of an object as a whole number of length units, by laying multiple copies of a shorter object (the length unit) end to end; understand that the length measurement of an object is the number of same-size length units that span it with no gaps or overlaps. Limit to contexts where the object being measured is spanned by a whole number of length units with no gaps or overlaps.

Common Core: 1.MD.1 and 1.MD.2

Learning Targets:

  • I can recognize when an object is longer or shorter than another object.
  • I can organize three objects by length in order from shortest to longest.
  • I can compare the lengths of two objects by using a third object.
  • I understand that if the length of object A is longer than the length of object B and the length of object B is longer than the length of object C, than the length of object A is longer than the length of object C
  • I can explain how to use a shorter object to measure the length of a longer object and explain why it is important to avoid gaps and overlaps.
  • I can report the length of an object as the total number of shorter objects it takes to span the longer object without gaps and overlaps.
  • I can represent the length of the longer object with a whole number.
  • I know that length is the distance between the two endpoints of an object
  • I know how to identify a unit of measure
  • I know about nonstandard (e.g., paper clips, eraser length, toothpicks) as well as standard units of measurement

Compare Lengths

Comparing three objects by length (1.MD.1).




Ordering Objects by Length
Order three objects from shortest to longest
Compare the length of two objects by using a third object.

Comparing Length
Compare the length of two hot dogs by using a third hot dog.

Comparing Lengths and Heights

Measure Lengths

1.MD.2
Measure Lengths (Non-Standard and Standard Units)
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) videos are designed to support states, schools, and teachers in the implementation of the CCSS. Each video is an audiovisual resource that focuses on one or more specific standards and usually includes examples/illustrations geared to enhancing understanding. The intent of each content-focused video is to clarify the meaning of the individual standard rather than to be a guide on how to teach each standard although the examples can be adapted for instructional use.

Measuring Length (Non-standard Units)

Comparing Length



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