Into Math Grade 2, Unit 6: Measurement and Data
In this unit, your child measures length in inches, feet, centimeters, and meters. They choose a tool, estimate before measuring, compare lengths, and solve story problems about length on a number line. They also record measurements on line plots and make picture and bar graphs. It builds on money and time and leads into shapes and equal shares.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 6?
- Measuring with a ruler, yardstick, meter stick, or measuring tape, lining up the object with the zero mark. Learn more: Measuring with a ruler, yardstick, or tape
- Measuring one object in both inches and centimeters, and seeing that the smaller unit gives the bigger number. Learn more: Measuring in inches and in centimeters
- Estimating lengths in inches, feet, centimeters, and meters, using a benchmark like a small paper clip for an inch. Learn more: Estimating lengths in inches, feet, and meters
- Finding how much longer one object is than another by measuring both in the same unit and subtracting. Learn more: Measuring how much longer one thing is
- Solving story problems about length within 100, such as how much ribbon is left, and labeling the answer with its unit. Learn more: Story problems about length
- Showing lengths as distances from 0 on a number line, and jumping forward or back to add and subtract. Learn more: Adding and subtracting on a number line
- Measuring several objects to the nearest inch and showing the lengths on a line plot with an X for each. Learn more: Measuring things and making a line plot
- Making picture graphs and bar graphs with up to four categories and answering 'how many more' questions. Learn more: Making and reading picture graphs and bar graphs
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
- Measure a spoon, a book, and a shoe in inches and then in centimeters. Ask your child why the number in centimeters is bigger for the same object.
- Guess the length of a table or a hallway in feet before measuring it. Celebrate close guesses, since an estimate does not need to match exactly.
- Measure several crayons or toy cars to the nearest inch, then help your child make a line plot with an X for each one. Ask which length came up most.
Where kids can get stuck
- Thinking a book measured as 25 centimeters is longer than the same book measured as 10 inches.
- Counting the tick marks instead of the spaces between them, getting one more than the real length.
- Leaving gaps in a line plot's numbers, skipping 8 because no object measured 8 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 as long as a small paper clip.
- foot
- A unit of length equal to 12 inches, about as long as a ruler.
- centimeter
- A tiny unit of length, about as wide as a child's fingertip.
- meter
- A unit of length equal to 100 centimeters, a little longer than a yardstick.
- estimate
- A careful guess about how long or how many.
- unit
- The size you measure with, like an inch or a centimeter.
- line plot
- A number line with an X for each measurement, to show data.
- bar graph
- A graph that uses bars of different lengths to show and compare amounts.
- data
- Information you collect, like measurements or votes.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with measuring length?
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 Into Math Grade 2 Unit 6 cover?
Into Math Grade 2 Unit 6 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.A.4: Measure to determine how much longer one object is than another.
- 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.
- 2.MD.D.9: Generate measurement data by measuring lengths of several objects.
- 2.MD.D.10: Draw a picture graph and a bar graph to represent a data set with up to four categories.
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.