Measurement, Space & Statistics
Measuring Our World: Length, Mass, Capacity, and Time
Year 1 · Year 2
- ✓Compare and order objects by length, mass, and capacity using direct comparison and informal units.
- ✓Measure length, mass, and capacity using uniform informal units.
- ✓Recognise and use formal units for length (centimetre, metre), mass (kilogram), and capacity (litre) (Year 2).
- ✓Tell time to the hour, half-hour, and quarter-hour using analogue clocks.
- ✓Name and order the days of the week and months of the year.
Key concepts
Length tells us how long or tall something is. We can compare objects to see which is longer/shorter or taller/shorter. We can measure using informal units (like paper clips or hand spans) or formal units (like centimetres and metres, mainly in Year 2).
Mass tells us how heavy something is. We can compare objects to see which is heavier/lighter. We can measure using informal units (like blocks or marbles) or formal units (like kilograms, mainly in Year 2).
Capacity tells us how much a container can hold. We can compare containers to see which holds more/less liquid or sand. We can measure using informal units (like cups or spoons) or formal units (like litres, mainly in Year 2).
Clocks help us know what time it is. Analogue clocks have two hands: the short hand tells the hour, and the long hand tells the minutes. We learn to tell time to the hour ('o'clock'), half-hour ('half past'), and quarter-hour ('quarter past', 'quarter to', mainly in Year 2).
Calendars help us keep track of days, weeks, and months. There are 7 days in a week and 12 months in a year. We learn to name and order them.
Key facts to remember
- 1Length tells us how long or tall something is.
- 2Mass tells us how heavy something is.
- 3Capacity tells us how much a container can hold.
- 4Analogue clocks have a short hour hand and a long minute hand.
- 5There are 7 days in a week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
- 6There are 12 months in a year.
- 7Year 2 students learn formal units: centimetre (cm), metre (m) for length; kilogram (kg) for mass; litre (L) for capacity.
Worked examples
Example 1
Look at a pencil and a crayon. Which is longer? Measure the pencil using paper clips.
Answer
The pencil is longer. The pencil is 5 paper clips long.
When measuring with informal units, make sure they are uniform (all the same size) and placed carefully.
Example 2
What time is shown on an analogue clock where the short (hour) hand points to the 3 and the long (minute) hand points to the 12?
Answer
It is 3 o'clock.
The short hand tells the hour, and the long hand tells the minutes. When the long hand is on the 12, it's 'o'clock'.
Example 3
Order these days from first to last: Wednesday, Monday, Friday, Sunday.
Answer
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday.
Practising the days of the week and months of the year in order will help you remember them.
Common mistakes
- ✗Confusing the hour hand (short) and the minute hand (long) on a clock.
- ✗Not starting measurements from the very beginning of an object when using informal units.
- ✗Guessing which object is longer, heavier, or holds more instead of comparing carefully.
- ✗Forgetting the correct order of the days of the week or months of the year.
Exam tips
- ★Always look carefully at the question to see if you need to compare objects or measure them.
- ★When telling time, identify the hour hand first, then the minute hand.
- ★Practise saying the days of the week and months of the year in order until you know them well.
- ★When using informal units for measurement, make sure there are no gaps or overlaps between the units.
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