Pull out a length of about 12 inches on the tape measure and lock it in place. Use clear tape to secure the tape measure to a flat surface. Place a piece of graph paper along the edge of the tape measure. Line up the lines on the graph paper with the tape measure and use another piece of tape to hold the graph paper in place.
Use a green colored pencil or pen to color in the line on the graph paper that corresponds to the zero and another line that corresponds to the one-inch mark. Color down the line eight squares on the graph paper.
Find the 1/2-inch mark between the zero and the one-inch mark. Use a red colored pencil to color down the line on the graph paper below the 1/2-inch mark. Color down four squares on the graph paper.
Locate the lines on the tape measure that mark 1/4-inch measurements. Use a yellow colored pencil to color the line on the graph paper that lines up with each 1/4-inch mark. Color the line down two blocks on the graph paper for each 1/4-inch mark.
Find the first 1/8-inch mark on the tape measure. Color down one block on the graph paper using a blue colored pencil. Repeat for each 1/8-inch mark between zero and one inch.
Try adding and subtracting fractions using the tape measure and the graph. Add fractions such as 1/2 + 1/2, 1/4 + 1/4 and 1/8 + 2/8. Find the first fraction on the graph chart and follow the line up to the corresponding measurement on the tape measure. Add the second fraction by counting the lines on the graph. Find the corresponding measurement on the tape measure.
Try adding mixed fractions, such as 1/4 + 1/8. Convert the first fraction, 1/4, to eighths and then add 2/8 + 1/8 = 3/8. Find the 1/4 mark on the tape measure and on the graph. Count to the right 1/8 inch from the 1/4 mark to find the 3/8 mark. Use different fraction problems and practice until the student recognizes the pattern of fractions on the tape measure.