Reveal Math Grade 2, Unit 11: Customary and Metric Measurement
In this unit, your child measures length in customary units, like inches, feet, and yards, and in metric units, like centimeters and meters. They choose tools, estimate, compare lengths, and solve length story problems on a number line. It builds on making line plots in the data unit and leads into shapes and equal shares at the end of the year.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 11?
- Choosing between a ruler, yardstick, meter stick, and measuring tape, and lining the object up at zero. Learn more: Measuring with a ruler, yardstick, or tape
- Measuring an object in both inches and centimeters and explaining why there are more centimeters than inches. Learn more: Measuring in inches and in centimeters
- Estimating in feet or meters before measuring, using benchmarks like a ruler for a foot. Learn more: Estimating lengths in inches, feet, and meters
- Subtracting two measurements in the same unit to tell how much longer or shorter one object is. Learn more: Measuring how much longer one thing is
- Solving length story problems within 100, like adding two pieces of string, and writing the unit with the answer. Learn more: Story problems about length
- Using a number line like a long ruler to add and subtract lengths, jumping from 0 to show each length. 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
- Measure a table in feet with a ruler, then in meters with a measuring tape. Ask which unit needed more and why.
- Estimate how many feet long a room or hallway is, then measure it with a ruler or tape. Talk about how close the estimate was.
- Make up a story: 'This string is 45 inches and that one is 18 inches. How much longer is the first?' Draw a number line together to show it.
Where kids can get stuck
- Expecting the bigger unit to give the bigger number, so guessing more feet than inches for a book.
- Leaving the unit off, writing 27 instead of 27 inches, so no one knows how long it is.
- Leaving gaps when moving a ruler along a long table, so the measurement comes out too small.
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.
- yard
- A unit of length equal to 3 feet, or 36 inches.
- 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.
- number line
- A line with numbers marked in order, equally spaced.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with inches, feet, and meters?
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 Reveal Math Grade 2 Unit 11 cover?
Reveal Math Grade 2 Unit 11 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.
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.