Linear Measurement
Rainbow Bead Rulers
Enliven measurement practice
by inviting students to make their
own colorful rulers using beads.
1.
Materials
Materials
Give each student a pony bead and a ruler. Tell students to place
the bead on their desk so that the holes are on each side. Ask them
to estimate the width of the bead and then use a ruler to measure.
For each ruler:
1
(A pony bead is exactly -inch wide.) Ask: “How many beads would
4
two 12-inch pipe
❉
you need to measure one inch?” (4 ) “How many would you need
cleaners
to measure 6 inches?” (24 ) Tell students that they are going to
ruler
make their own colorful 6-inch rulers using pony beads.
❉
24 pony beads,
❉
2.
assorted colors
Divide the class into small groups. Provide each group with a bowl
of pony beads. Give each student two pipe cleaners, a paper plate,
paper plate
❉
and a copy of the chart. Then have students follow these steps:
Measurement Chart,
❉
page 72
•
Count 24 beads and place them on your plate. For each
group of four, choose the same color, and then alternate or
use contrasting colors for the other groups.
•
Starting at one end, twist the two
pipe cleaners together to create a
three-inch section. Bend to form
that section into a loop. Then,
Teaching Tips
holding the two pipe cleaners
together, string the beads on them
Students can use a fine-
❉
in groups of four, alternating
tip permanent marker
to record the inches on
colors to demarcate each inch.
their ruler by numbering
every fourth bead, if
•
When finished stringing all 24
desired.
beads, push the beads together tightly, and twist the remaining
For accuracy, tell
❉
section of the two pipe cleaners together and form a loop.
students to hold the
loop at each end of
•
Estimate the length of each item on the chart and record your
their ruler and gently
1
estimate. Then use your ruler to measure it. Use the -inch
pull the ruler taut when
4
bead increments to measure to the nearest quarter-inch. Add
measuring.
other items to your chart and estimate and measure them, too.
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