How to Teach Second Graders to Read a Metric Ruler

Second graders are very inquisitive and have the capability to learn how to read a metric ruler. You can incorporate this lesson in to your current math program.

You will need the following supplies to teach this lesson:

1. A metric ruler
2. A notebook and a pencil
3. A paper clip
4. A spare pencil
5. An eraser
6. A piece of chalk
7. A quarter
8. A nickel
9. A dime
10. A penny

Follow the steps below to teach your students how to use a metric ruler:

1. Take your time. It is possible to teach this lesson completely in one day if you don't rush it. You will still want to review the next day or two to make sure the children have the concept down.
2. Give each child a ruler and have them spend a few minutes looking it over. Have them notice that some of the lines are bigger and some of the lines are smaller.
3. Show the children the longer lines with the numbers on them. Tell the children this stands for Centimeters.
4. Have the children measure the items listed above, rounding off to the nearest centimeter. They will measure them again in a minute when they get the hang of the centimeters. Have the children draw two lines down the notebook page. In the first column write the name of the object you measure. In the second column write how many centimeters the object measured.
5. Now show the children the smaller lines. Tell them that each one stands for a millimeter. There are 10 millimeters in 1 centimeter. Show the children on the ruler that the first millimeter starts on centimeter mark number 1. Then there are 8 millimeter marks in a row for a total of 9. The tenth millimeter is the next centimeter number on the ruler.
6. Explain to children that each millimeter is 1/10th of a centimeter which makes it really easy to write out. If you measure a pen and it is 6 centimeters and 5 millimeters then you would write it 6.5 centimeters. If you measure a thumbtack and it is 1 centimeter and 1 millimeter then you would write it 1.1 centimeter.
7. Have children measure the objects again and write the exact measurements in the third column of their notebook.
8. For homework have the children go home and measure some common household items. Have them measure 10 items and turn the paper in for you to grade. You won't be able to check their measurements, but you will be able to tell if it looks about right. The point is to get the kids to practice using the skills you just taught them.