Measuring Distance with Steps

Every person's gait is unique just like a finger print. This is not to say that some people have steps that are similar in distance. For instance, most of your children have steps that are between 1.5 and 2.5 feet. My normal step is 3 feet. 

We had the children practice steping off two feet against a rope with tape every two feet. Then they counted by twos until they reach their destination. It is remarkable how accurate these measurements can be. For the older children, I had them practice my step of three feet and count by threes. 

My objectives for the lesson is that see that all of the counting numbers by twos are EVEN numbers all of which end in 2,4,6,8 or 0 and this pattern of ones values continues indefinitely.

Please have them practice counting off steps by twos and measuring distances all around the house or playground. The attached worksheet allows the to practice counting by 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, and for the very advanced students, 1.5, 2.5 and then they should chose their own multiples on the last page; maybe 10s, or more challenging numbers like 7, 9, or 11.

My secondary objective is for them to start to see the practical value of mathematics as we need to measure distance all of the time. When we buy seed or mulch for the lawn, when we choose a hose, need an extension cord, or thousands of other applications.

During class, if they made a mistake on threes, I would find the error and cross out the incorrect values (do not have them erase since it takes too much time) and continue from the correct values. They can think in twos and then add one or the younger ones can use their fingers to count off three more.