Lesson 9 From Feet to Inches

    • Let’s measure longer lengths with customary units.

Warm-up Estimation Exploration: Small Fry, Big Fish

How long is this cobia fish in inches?

Picture of Cobia fish.
  1. Record an estimate that is:

    too low

    about right

    too high

  2. Record an estimate that is:

    too low

    about right

    too high

Activity 1 Measure the Length of Fish

Problem 1

Work with your group to measure the tape strips around the classroom in feet. Then measure the length in inches.

  1. Tape A: largemouth bass

    Fish. Largemouth bass.

    Length in feet:

    Length in inches:

  2. Tape B: spiny dogfish shark

    Fish. Spiny Dogfish shark.

    Length in feet:

    Length in inches:

  3. Tape C: catfish

    Fish. Catfish.

    Length in feet:

    Length in inches:

  4. Tape D: koi

    Fish. Koi 

    Length in feet:

    Length in inches:

Problem 2

What did you notice about the number of feet compared to the number of inches when you measured the tape strips?

Activity 2 Inches or Feet?

  1. Estimate the length of objects around the room. Say if you will measure in inches or feet.

    object to measure

    my estimate

    circle inches or feet

    inches

    feet

    inches

    feet

    inches

    feet

    inches

    feet

  2. Choose the best tool to measure each object. Complete the table to record your actual measurements.

    object to measure

    measurement tool

    actual length (include unit)

Practice Problem

Problem 1

  1. An adult hippopotamus is 13 units long. Are the units inches or feet? Explain your reasoning.

  2. A piece of chalk is 2 units long. Are the units inches or feet? Explain your reasoning.