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Measuring Tools

SDI PRODUCTIONS/GETTY IMAGES

We measure things every day. Measurement helps us learn about our world. It helps us complete tasks task pw task JOSE LUIS PELAEZ INC—GETTY IMAGES a job or chore for someone to do (noun) Making my bed is a task I complete each day. . And it helps us get things right. There are many different tools for measuring. Take a look.

A stopwatch measures time.

PATRIK GIARDINO—GETTY IMAGES; WODICKA—ULLSTEIN BILD/GETTY IMAGES (INSET)

Ready? Go! How long will it take for these people to run around the track track PW-TRACK CAVAN IMAGES—GETTY IMAGES a circular path that is used for running (noun) The horses raced around the track. ? Using a stopwatch will give us this information.

A ruler measures length.

JULIEANNE BIRCH—GETTY IMAGES

A tape measure is a ruler that rolls up. This construction construction pw construction MIN GEOLSHIK—GETTY IMAGES having to do with building something (adjective) Building a bridge is a big construction project. worker is measuring a wall. To do her job, she needs to know the wall’s length.

A thermometer measures temperature.

EUNICE HARRIS—GETTY IMAGES

How hot? How cold? A thermometer measures temperature in degrees.

A scale measures weight.

MY PURGATORY YEARS/GETTY IMAGES

How many pounds pound PW pound TETRA IMAGES-JESSICA PETERSON—GETTY IMAGES a unit of weight (noun) My dog Milo weighs 10 pounds. of bananas is this? The scale will tell us.

Try It!

LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/GETTY IMAGES

Grab some markers. Use them to measure something. How long is each marker? How many did you use? How long is the thing you measured?