Inch by Inch

Posted By: Tricia Prince

Author & Illustrator: Leo Lionni

Recommended Grade Level: K-3^RD

Common Core Content Standards Addressed

CCSS. Math. Content. K.MD.A.1

Describe measurable attributes of objects, such as length or weight. Describe several measurable attributes of a single object.

CCSS.Math.Content.1.MD.A.2

Order three objects by length; compare the lengths of two objects indirectly by using a third object.

Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice

CCSS.Math.Practice.MP1

Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

*Students should make sense of the story line and understand the problem. The mathematics behind this story is: the clever thinking of an inchworm who uses his wits and  knowledge of measurement to out fox its preys.

CCSS.Math.Practice.MP5

Use appropriate tools strategically

Summary:

The book was about an inchworm who was about to be eaten by a Robin one day, but he prevented this from happening by outsmarting the robin. But then came a Nightingale who also wanted to eat him for breakfast, he too was outsmarted. Throughout the book the inchworm came across many other animals who wanted to eat him. In order to save himself from being eaten, the inchworm tells them that he is able to measure things. He then travels around with the robin measuring different animals. Everything was going good until he met the nightingale, who wants the inch worm to measure his song. This was an impossible task, he however pretended to be measuring the song until he was out of sight..

Rating:

This is definitely a 5-star book. It can be used in multiple grades to teach measurement, the books colorful images illustrates the action of the inchworm as he measures the flamingo’s beak or the tail of the robin. It is a great visual for students who are just understanding the concept of measurement. The book also teaches problem solving, how they can find solutions to difficult mathematical concepts or issues.

Classroom Ideas:

• This book can be used as an introduction to measurement especially for those who are just learning the concept. Students can use this book to measure and compare lengths of each animals, then count how many inches it took to measure each. Students will be introduced to animals they may have never seen before, thus connecting to nature and the world beyond them.

• Students can use an inch ruler to measure the beak, tail, neck and, legs of the various animals in the book, then compare their results.

•    Students will be given inch ruler or space sticks to go about the classroom and find things to measure. They will then draw objects in their notebooks labeling each picture with the measurement. Compare length

•   Give students three or more objects to order according to their length. After ordering according to length, students will then use cubes to determine how many cubes long is each object.