According to Teacher Vision, telling time on an analog clock is a lesson taught in first grade that many students struggle with well into second grade. Second grade activities regarding the measurement of time must reinforce the study of telling time and calendar layouts. Lesson plans regarding estimating the time an activity takes to complete and how to add on time are beneficial to a child. Teachers can use familiar times such as bedtime and suggest that a child add 30 minutes to an 8:30 bedtime. Using coins and having children arrange them by production year in chronological order, and having children arrange the classroom students by birth date in chronological order, teaches them about calendars and dates.
At a second grade level, focus on linear measurements rather than area measurements, which, according to Teacher Vision, is a more advanced skill. Have students practice measuring lengths to the nearest inch, foot and centimeter. Lesson plans, such as having students observe an object and search the classroom for an object of similar length, reinforces observation skills and analytical skills as well as measurement skills. Students should be comfortable using a ruler and tape measure by the completion of second grade.
When measuring weight, students at a second grade level should focus on the weight of an object rather then the mass, which, Teacher Vision states, is easily confusing. Activities that require students to estimate which of two or three objects weighs the most and which weighs the least teaches them to use observation in determining different weights. Having students observe an object and find a similarly weighing object in the classroom teaches them to estimate weight and practice observation skills.
When teaching second graders temperature concepts, using outdoor activities that coincide with temperature are useful. Food temperatures are also a reference point that children understand in regard to temperature. Activities that teach students the effect of hot and cold and how they can alter each other are useful in teaching temperature measurement skills. Using three containers, one with warm to hot water, one with cold water, and an empty one, have the children measure each container of water. Then have them pour a small amount of each into the empty container and measure the temperature. Have them experiment with adding hot and cold water and measuring to observe the effect each has on the other.