Using Customary Units of Length

Envision 2008

1 foot = 12 inches

A notebook measures about 1 foot.

1 yard = 3 feet = 36 inches

A baseball bat is about 1 yard.

One mile = 5,280 feet = 1,760 yards

One mile is about twice around this track.

Choose the most appropriate unit to measure the length of each.

foot yard mile

1. highway

2. book case

3. football field

4. room

How long is your textbook to the nearest inch? Explain to your shoulder partner how you measured.

Greg wants to measure how tall his 2-year-old sister is. What two units could he use? Explain to your other shoulder partner how you would measure and why.

In your journal, write the most appropriate unit to measure with

foot yard mile

1. pencil

2. building

3. mountain

4. spool of ribbon

Using the items on your table, measure the objects to the nearest inch. Record your findings in your journal.

1. pencil

2. piece of ribbon

3. library book

Lionel is building a tree house. The materials list tells the length of the floorboards that are needed. Which would be the best unit of measure to describe the length of the floorboards? Why?

In Olivia, Minnesota, there is a giant ear of corn standing over a roadside gazebo. Using the image, which do you think is the actual height of the corn?

A. 25 miles

B. 25 feet

C. 25 inches

D. 25 centimeters