Go Math! Grade 2, Chapter 8: Length in Customary Units
In this unit, your child measures length in inches, feet, and yards. They use inch rulers, yardsticks, and measuring tapes, estimate before measuring, and see that a bigger unit needs fewer of it. They solve story problems about length and show them on a number line. Next, the same skills move to centimeters and meters.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Chapter 8?
- Measuring with inch rulers, yardsticks, and measuring tapes, starting at zero and choosing the best tool. Learn more: Measuring with a ruler, yardstick, or tape
- Measuring the same object in inches and in feet and explaining why there are fewer feet. Learn more: Measuring in inches and in centimeters
- Estimating lengths in inches and feet, using benchmarks like a paper clip or a 12-inch ruler. Learn more: Estimating lengths in inches, feet, and meters
- Solving story problems about lengths in inches and feet by adding or subtracting and writing the unit. Learn more: Story problems about length
- Adding and subtracting lengths with jumps on a number line marked like an inch ruler. Learn more: Adding and subtracting on a number line
Sample questions to try together
These are real questions from our practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
A door is measured using which tool?
- Ruler
- Measuring Tape
- Small paper clip
How you can help
- Estimate how many inches long a spoon or a shoe is, then measure with a ruler and talk about how close the guess was.
- Measure a table in feet and then in inches, and ask your child why the number of inches is so much bigger.
- Tell a length story on a walk: "The ribbon was 36 inches and we used 12. How much is left?" Let your child draw a number line.
Where kids can get stuck
- Expecting a bigger number of feet than inches for the same object.
- Moving the ruler along a long object without marking where it ended, and losing inches.
- Leaving off the unit, writing 24 instead of 24 inches.
Practice makes perfect
Bobby's Math Club has practice problems that adapt to your child’s level, each with a detailed explanation and an easy-to-follow video, so your child can build confidence in these skills one step at a time.
Words your child will hear
- inch
- A small unit of length, about the width of a grown-up's thumb.
- foot
- A unit of length equal to 12 inches, about as long as a ruler.
- yard
- A unit of length equal to 3 feet, or 36 inches.
- yardstick
- A measuring stick that is 1 yard, or 3 feet, long.
- ruler
- A straight tool marked in inches or centimeters for measuring length.
- measuring tape
- A long, bendable strip marked with units, for measuring big or curved things.
- estimate
- A smart guess about an amount or a length, made before measuring or counting.
- unit
- The amount you measure with, like an inch, a foot, or a centimeter.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with inches, feet, and yards?
In Bobby's Math Club, your child practices these skills at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free.
Join the club
Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
Which math standards does Go Math! Grade 2 Chapter 8 cover?
Go Math! Grade 2 Chapter 8 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
- 2.MD.A.1: Measure the length of an object by selecting and using appropriate tools.
- 2.MD.A.2: Measure the length of an object twice, using length units of different lengths.
- 2.MD.A.3: Estimate lengths using units of inches, feet, centimeters, and meters.
- 2.MD.B.5: Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve word problems involving lengths.
- 2.MD.B.6: Represent whole numbers as lengths from 0 on a number line diagram.
For teachers: Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence. Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow.