To review units of measurement, teachers can play a game in which pupils estimate the lengths of various classroom objects. Divide the class into small cooperative groups. Call out a measurement, such as 32 inches. Pupils work together to estimate which object in the classroom is 32 inches long. Ask pupils to measure the object they guessed and compare the actual measurement with the number that was given. Repeat the activity using various units of measure, such as yards, centimeters or feet.
In this game, pupils will have fun learning about circumference while blowing bubbles. Discuss ways pupils can measure circular objects, and point out that it would be difficult to use a ruler. Teach pupils the formula for finding the circumference of a circle, which is 2 x Pi x radius of the circle. Show pupils how to blow a bubble onto a dark piece of paper so that when it pops it leaves a circular print. Ask them to measure the radius of the circle and use the formula to find the circumference. Have a bubble blowing contest, and invite pupils to try to make a bubble print with the largest circumference.
Give pupils several strips of colored paper that are cut to a variety of exact measurements, such as 4 inches or 9 inches. Ask pupils to measure each strip of paper and record the measurement on the strip. Once they have completed the measuring, pupils arrange the strips of paper to create a picture of an object. Have them glue their pictures onto a larger piece of white paper and then total the measurements of their strips of paper.
To practice measuring longer distances, pupils can play a game using a beanbag and a yard stick while working in pairs or small groups. One pupil tosses the beanbag forward and the children estimate the distance the beanbag traveled. Then they use the yardstick to measure the actual distance and record it. Players take turns tossing the beanbag and measuring the distance. Pupils can compare the measurements of each toss to see which pupil tossed the beanbag farthest.