Book Title: Inch by Inch

Posted by Alexandra Pereyra

Title: Inch by Inch

Author-Leo Lionni

Illustrator-Leo Lionni

Recommended Grade Level: Grades K-3

CCSSM Standard

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.MD.A.2

Express the length of an object as a whole number of length units, by laying multiple copies of a shorter object (the length unit) end to end; understand that the length measurement of an object is the number of same-size length units that span it with no gaps or overlaps. Limit to contexts where the object being measured is spanned by a whole number of length units with no gaps or overlaps.

Summary:

This book is about an inchworm that is about to be eaten by a robin, the inchworm and conveices the robin to spare his life and promises to measure things for him and other animals. The inchworm measured the robin’s tail, the flamingo’s neck, the toucan beak, the legs of heron, the tail of the pheasant, and the whole hummingbird. Lastly, the inchworm met the nightingale who wanted the inchworm to measure her song. As the nightingale sang the inchworm inched away.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a great book to introduce  measurement to young children. The concept of measurement can be applied to animals and helps the students build connections. This book shows  students that measuring can occur with any tool, not just a ruler or tape measure.

Classroom Ideas:

This picture book can be used to teach measurement in the classroom. Students can be introduced to measuring larger objects  by creating their own inchworm to measure objects around the classroom. The student can use their inchworm to learn how to properly measure things For example; starting right from the edge, not leaving space between the inchworm. This will give the students the opportunity to learn about measuring using non traditional tools. The students will familiarize themselves with measuring, collecting data, and counting.

Another classroom idea, is having the students measure things using the inchworm and a centimeter ruler and create a conversion chart for inches to centimeters.  Instead of memeorizing conversion or inches to centimetters, the students can measure objects with the inchworm , then measure the same objects with the centimeter ruler. The students will then write down the data on a chart and analyze the chart to determine how many centimeters are in the inchworms. In this classroom activity the students practice their measuring skills, collect data and develop their problem solving skills.