Help your students take ownership of their learning with our Choose & Use Informal Units of Length Worksheets - a fun and interactive way to explore informal measurement. This activity encourages students to not only measure objects using informal units, but also critically choose which unit is most suitable for each item. Perfect for early measurement concepts, it’s a great resource for building foundational maths skills in an engaging and hands-on way.

Students begin by cutting out a selection of informal unit cards printed at the bottom of the page. They then consider which unit is most appropriate for each object on the worksheet. Once they are confident with their selections, they glue down the units and begin measuring the length of each item using the selected tool. They then record their measurements on the sheet provided. This process promotes deep thinking about unit suitability, spatial reasoning and accuracy in measurement.

There are three differentiated versions of the worksheet included in this resource. Each level gradually increases in complexity by including more measurement items and a wider range of informal units to choose from. Whether you’re working with emerging learners or extending confident students, there is a version to suit every level in your classroom. This task is ideal for numeracy rotations, small group work or as part of a unit on measurement and comparison.

Key Learning Outcomes

• ✅ Use informal units to measure the length of everyday classroom items
• ✅ Select the most appropriate unit for measurement
• ✅ Record measurements accurately using consistent units
• ✅ Develop reasoning and justification skills for chosen methods

What’s Included

• 3 differentiated worksheets with increasing difficulty:
  • - Version 1: Fewer items with basic unit choices
  • - Version 2: Mid-level complexity with more variety
  • - Version 3: Extended challenge with broader unit range
• Cut-and-paste informal unit cards on each worksheet
• Suggested answer sheet for teacher guidance (flexible to allow variation)

Materials Needed

• Printed worksheets
• Scissors, glue sticks and pencils
• Rulers or non-standard measuring tools like paperclips, counters, matchsticks, and cubes
• Classroom items for students to measure (e.g. pencil cases, books, water bottles)

How to Use

1. Select the worksheet version appropriate for each student or group.
2. Review examples of informal measurement and discuss why choosing the right unit is important.
3. Students cut out the informal units and arrange them beside each item until they feel confident with their choice.
4. After gluing the units in place, students use the selected tool to measure and record the length of each object.
5. Encourage students to reflect on their reasoning and share which unit was most or least helpful.

Ideas for Classroom Use

• 💡 Use as a rotation station during a measurement unit
• 💡 Pair students to encourage collaborative reasoning and discussion
• 💡 Extend the activity by asking students to justify their choices in writing or orally
• 💡 Use as a formative assessment to gauge student understanding of measurement concepts
• 💡 Combine with our Informal Length Scavenger Hunt Worksheets for a broader unit on informal units

Top Teacher Tips

• 💛 Laminate the unit cards for repeated use during rotations or early finisher tasks
• 💛 Enlarge worksheets to A3 size for younger students or collaborative group use
• 💛 Let students use different types of informal units across the class for variety and discussion
• 💛 Display student work with reflections on why certain units worked best for different objects

This task encourages students to think beyond simply measuring - they must select, evaluate, and justify. It’s a fantastic way to deepen their understanding of length and informal measurement in an engaging and meaningful way.