Measuring with Maggie

• Maggie is a fun alien who uses her trip through space to explain customary measurements. She compares the standard measurements and discusses differences between liquid and solid types of measurement. Share Maggie's story with the class as you study customary units of measurement. Students who have computer access can read Maggie's story and answer questions on measurement.
  
  

Scavenger Hunt

• Send the students on a measuring scavenger hunt. Give each student a list of standard measurements and allow the students to find objects that equal the listed measurements. Make sure to give each third grader instruments for measuring, such as rulers or measuring cups. Award a prize to the first third grader to find every measurement. Use the game as a team challenge by dividing students into two or three teams with one list for each group.
  
  

Body Part Measurement

• Give each third grader a ruler and assign them to measure different body parts. Ask the students to compare results. For example, if two students were assigned arm length, help them compare measurements. As an additional activity, tell the students that their arm span is equal to their height. Measure and compare the arm span of a few students to prove the fact.
  
  

Measurement Olympics

• Double up on third grade math concepts with measurement and estimation. Brainstorm Olympic categories with the class, such as jumping, tossing or sprinting. Tell the students to guess how far a student will throw a ball, and then have a student throw the ball. Measure the distance. Hold the Olympics for a week or more and record the results of every student. Give prizes for first, second and third place winners in each category, including best athletic results as well as best measurements.