Measurement

Measurement is how we put numbers on the world. How tall is the tree? How long until lunch? How much does the candy cost? Each question has a number for an answer — and you can find them all in this topic.

Three things we will measure

In first grade we look at three kinds of measurement:

• Length — how long, tall or far something is.
• Time — when things happen and how long they take.
• Money — how much things cost and how to pay.

Each one has its own little world of numbers and tools.

Why measurement matters

Measurement is the most useful math you will ever learn. Cooks measure ingredients. Tailors measure cloth. Builders measure walls. Even just knowing "the bus comes at 8:00" is measurement.

What you will learn here

• Length — comparing things and units like centimetres
• Telling time — reading the hour and the half hour
• Money — recognising coins and making small payments
• For parents — tips for grown-ups

When you are ready, look around the house and try to measure something — even just by counting how many of your hands long it is.