Describe Measurable Attributes
Students describe objects by attributes such as length, height, weight, and capacity.
Illustrations are auto-generated and may be placeholders. They can be refreshed to match the narration.
Explore Classroom Objects
Look around the classroom. Every object has attributes, or features, that we can describe. Some attributes can be measured. Pick up a pencil, a book, and an empty water bottle. The pencil has a certain length. The book has length, height, and weight. The bottle has height, weight, and capacity, which tells how much it can hold. You do not need a number to begin describing these objects. You can use words such as long, short, tall, light, heavy, empty, and full. For example, you might say, “The pencil is long and light.” An object can have several measurable attributes at the same time. Look carefully, safely handle each object, and tell what you notice.
Describe Length and Height
Length tells how long an object is from one end to the other. Height tells how tall an object is from bottom to top. To compare length, place two objects so that one end of each object lines up. A crayon may be shorter than a pencil, and the pencil may be longer than the crayon. To compare height, stand two objects on the same flat surface. A glue bottle may be taller than an eraser. The eraser is shorter than the glue bottle. Be sure the objects begin at the same place. If their ends or bottoms do not line up, the comparison may be unfair. Use words such as longer, shorter, taller, and the same length to describe what you observe.
Describe Weight
Weight describes how heavy or light an object is. You can gently hold one safe object in each hand to compare them, or you can use a balance scale. On a balance scale, the heavier side moves down and the lighter side moves up. If both sides stay level, the objects have the same weight. Imagine placing a classroom book on one side and one paper clip on the other. The book’s side moves down because the book is heavier than the paper clip. The paper clip is lighter than the book. Size does not always tell weight. A large empty box can be lighter than a small rock. Use the words heavier, lighter, or the same weight when you share your comparison.
Explore Capacity
Capacity tells how much a container can hold. Containers can hold water, sand, blocks, or other materials. Look at a small cup and a large pitcher. The pitcher has a greater capacity because it can hold more water. The cup has a smaller capacity because it holds less water. Capacity is not the same as height. A short, wide bowl may hold more than a tall, narrow cup. You can explore capacity by filling one container with dry rice and carefully pouring it into another container. Ask, “Does it all fit?” Use words such as holds more, holds less, full, half full, and empty. Keep water or rice over a tray, and ask an adult before pouring.
Attribute Sharing Circle
Sit in a circle with one classroom object. Take turns describing its measurable attributes. First, name the object. Next, tell about two or more attributes. You might say, “My marker is longer than my eraser, light to hold, and able to fit inside this cup.” A classmate can ask a question, such as, “Is it shorter than your pencil?” Listen for words about length, height, weight, and capacity. Remember that one object can have several attributes. A lunch box has length and height, has a weight, and has space inside to hold food. Comparisons should name both objects: “The lunch box is heavier than the paper bag.” Speak clearly, listen kindly, and use what you observed to explain your ideas.