Level 2: Units for everyone

Measurement · level 2 of 8 · rough age 7-8 (a guide for parents; anyone can start anywhere)

In level 1 you measured with hands, feet and blocks, and found that everyone's hand gives a different number. In this level everyone uses the same units: centimetres and metres for length, kilograms for mass, litres for capacity, hours and minutes on the clock, and days, weeks, months and years on the calendar. You learn to use a ruler properly, to estimate before you measure, to read scales and clocks, and to walk all the way round a shape to find its perimeter.

Lesson	You will be able to
Why we need the same units	Explain why body units cause trouble, use centimetres and metres, and measure with a ruler starting at 0 (or from any mark)
Measuring and estimating length	Use benchmarks like a finger (about 1 cm) and a big step (about 1 m) to estimate, then measure and judge how close you were
Kilograms and litres	Picture a kilogram and a litre, read simple scales and jugs, and know that a litre of water weighs about a kilogram
Telling time	Read analogue and digital clocks to five minutes, and use o'clock, half past, quarter past and quarter to
The calendar	Use days, weeks, months and years, find how many days a month has with the knuckle trick, and explain leap years
Perimeter	Find the distance around a shape by adding its sides or counting on a grid, find a missing side, and make different shapes with the same perimeter

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