Ruler Pick Slides
2ND & 3RD GRADE MATH Measurement Unit
Centimeter or Meter?
Look at each item and decide which measurement tool is the best fit for the job!
cm Centimeter Ruler
m Meter Stick
0 1 2 3 4 5
Get your thumbs ready: Thumbs UP = cm or Thumbs DOWN = m! 10 Practice Items Ahead
TOOL CHECK
How Big Are These Units?
Quick Reminder
cm
Centimeter
Small objects & details
About the width of your fingertip or a paperclip!
Best for objects you can hold in one hand!
Crayon Eraser Insect
m
Meter
Big objects & distances
About the length of a guitar or height to a doorknob!
1 Meter = 100 Centimeters (1 m = 100 cm)
Door School Bus Tree
Next, you will see 10 different items. Call out or show your vote: CM or METER!
1
Writing Pencil
Item 1 of 10
Which ruler would you use to measure the length of a pencil?
A. Centimeter Ruler (cm) Short
B. Meter Stick (m) Long
Think: Could a pencil fit across your math workbook? Make your choice!
2
School Bus
Item 2 of 10
Which ruler would you use to measure the length of a real school bus?
A. Centimeter Ruler (cm) Short
B. Meter Stick (m) Long
Think: A school bus carries dozens of students down the road! Make your choice!
3
Glue Stick
Item 3 of 10
Which ruler would you use to measure the height of a glue stick?
A. Centimeter Ruler (cm) Short
B. Meter Stick (m) Long
Think: A glue stick stands inside your pencil box! Make your choice!
4
Playground Slide
Item 4 of 10
Which ruler would you use to measure the height of a playground slide?
A. Centimeter Ruler (cm) Short
B. Meter Stick (m) Long
Think: You climb high up a ladder to reach the top! Make your choice!
5
Student Scissors
Item 5 of 10
Which ruler would you use to measure the length of scissors?
A. Centimeter Ruler (cm) Short
B. Meter Stick (m) Long
Think: You hold these with one hand to cut paper! Make your choice!
6
Classroom Door
Item 6 of 10
Which ruler would you use to measure the height of a classroom door?
A. Centimeter Ruler (cm) Short
B. Meter Stick (m) Long
Think: Adults and teachers walk right through it! Make your choice!
7
Ladybug
Item 7 of 10
Which ruler would you use to measure the width of a ladybug?
A. Centimeter Ruler (cm) Short
B. Meter Stick (m) Long
Think: This tiny insect crawls across a green leaf! Make your choice!
8
Tall Oak Tree
Item 8 of 10
Which ruler would you use to measure the height of a big park tree?
A. Centimeter Ruler (cm) Short
B. Meter Stick (m) Long
Think: Birds nest high up in its giant branches! Make your choice!
9
Toothbrush
Item 9 of 10
Which ruler would you use to measure the length of a toothbrush?
A. Centimeter Ruler (cm) Short
B. Meter Stick (m) Long
Think: It sits in a cup next to your bathroom sink! Make your choice!
10
Soccer Goal
Item 10 of 10
Which ruler would you use to measure the width of a soccer goal?
A. Centimeter Ruler (cm) Short
B. Meter Stick (m) Long
Think: The entire team runs across the field to defend it! Make your choice!
Measurement Masters!
All 10 Items Checked
cm
Centimeter Ruler Group
Small items you can hold in your hands:
- Writing Pencil
- Glue Stick
- Student Scissors
- Ladybug
- Toothbrush
m
Meter Stick Group
Large items you stand next to or walk through:
- School Bus
- Playground Slide
- Classroom Door
- Tall Oak Tree
- Soccer Goal
Remember the rule of thumb: Small enough to carry = Centimeters • Bigger than you = Meters!