Kindergarten math measuring should be hands-on! In this activity, we introduce a unit that every child always has with them: Their hand.
What is a “Handspan”? Before we start, we teach the technique. A “handspan” is the distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the pinky finger when the hand is stretched out wide.
The Activity: A Recording Sheet This worksheet is designed as a guide for students to move around and measure their immediate environment.
- The Unit: The student’s own handspan.
- The Targets: Surfaces they use daily, like their Desk top, their Chair seat, and a large Picture Book.
- The Goal: Practice “no gap” measurement with their hands and record the number.
This personalizes non-standard measurement and makes math tangible.