Inch by Inch

During our insect unit, our 4s further explored non-standard measurement with inchworms and team work.  Each class read Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni, a story about a little inchworm who is forced to measure lots of things.  Finally, when charged with measuring the mockingbird's song, he comes up with a plan to escape.  

 Each team had 3 members, and 3 jobs.  The first job was the measurer-er, that child managed the inchworm.  The second job was the recorder, that child had the crayons..  The third job was the writer, that child had the clipboard.  

 The task was to choose an object, measure it, draw a picture of the thing measured, and record the number.  This group went straight to the pepper plant.  They measured it, drew a picture, recorded the number and went off to find something else to measure.  So impressed with their focus and ability to stay on task.

 The children did an amazing job with this detailed assignment.  

 This group measured the fence.  It was a lofty task, but they were up for it. We considered encouraging them to measure something smaller, but where was the opportunity for growth there?  We treated it like a teachable moment and taught them how to write that big number!

 This group chose to measure the wheel of the Flintstone car.  They did a super job.

Here you can see the evidence of their hard work.  Like mentioned in a previous post, we have done group work before.  We have practiced it and gotten really good at cooperating with peers.  We have also have had experience with non-standard measurement.  This was just a really great culminating experience, bringing all that we have learned together.  

It is a lesson like this that reminds us why we do what we do.  Can they color in the lines...maybe,  but let me tell you what we KNOW that they can do!  They get along, they cooperate, they share, they are contributing members of a team, they count together, they measure things in their environment, they are developing responsibility, mentoring each other, estimating, writing numerals, building number sense, they take risks (measuring that fence!), they encourage each other, they follow multiple step directions, they are building confidence, they THINK, and I could go on and on, but you get the idea :)  We are so proud of our 4s and all that they have accomplished this year.  We can't wait to hear about their success in kindergarten.