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Florida Grade 2 Math · Measurement

MA.2.M.1.1: Measuring Length

What this Grade 2 benchmark means, worked examples, common mistakes, and a free printable worksheet.

Created by a Florida mom · Published by Tropical Learning LLC

Download Free Worksheet (PDF)See worked examples

What Is Benchmark MA.2.M.1.1?

Students estimate and measure the length of objects to the nearest inch, foot, yard, centimeter, or meter. They choose a good tool (ruler, yardstick, meter stick, or tape measure) and see rulers as number lines.

An important idea: when you measure the same object in two units, it takes fewer of the larger unit. Converting between units is not expected in Grade 2.

Official benchmarkEstimate and measure the length of an object to the nearest inch, foot, yard, centimeter or meter by selecting and using an appropriate tool.

How it is tested: Grade 2 students take FAST Star Math, Florida's math test for Kindergarten through Grade 2.

Worked Examples

Worked Example 1

Choosing a Tool and Unit

What tool and unit would you use to measure the length of a classroom?
  1. 1A classroom is long, so a short ruler would take many moves.
  2. 2A tape measure, yardstick, or meter stick works better.
  3. 3Use a large unit such as yards, feet, or meters.
Answer: A tape measure or meter stick, measuring in meters, yards, or feet

Worked Example 2

Measuring in Two Units

A pencil is about 7 inches long. It is also about 18 centimeters long. Why are the numbers different?
  1. 1An inch is longer than a centimeter.
  2. 2It takes fewer of the longer unit to cover the same pencil.
Answer: Inches are bigger than centimeters, so fewer inches are needed.

Common Mistakes to Watch For

Starting at the 1 mark instead of 0

Wrong:A crayon from the 1 mark to the 9 mark is 9 centimeters long.

Line up the end of the object with 0. If it starts at 1, count the spaces between the marks: it is 8 centimeters long.

Expecting more of a bigger unit

Wrong:A desk is 30 inches long, so it must be more than 30 feet long.

A foot is longer than an inch, so it takes fewer feet than inches to measure the same desk.

Helpful Math Tip

Before measuring, have your child guess the length by comparing with something they know, like "a paper clip is about 3 centimeters." Then measure and see how close the guess was.

Related Grade 2 Skills

MA.2.M.1.2

Comparing Two Lengths

MA.2.M.1.3

Length Word Problems

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Independent Educational Platform. FastChomp is published by Tropical Learning LLC and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Florida Department of Education. FAST and Star assessment names are referenced for informational purposes only. FastChomp practice questions are original educational materials, not official Florida FAST assessment questions.