Help your students practise their ruler skills with this simple yet purposeful activity. In How Long? Measuring Lines, students will measure and record the lengths of five different lines using a ruler, then use their measurements to sort and order the lines by length. This hands-on task is perfect for reinforcing accurate measurement techniques while building number comparison and ordering skills.

Each worksheet features five pre-drawn lines for students to measure in centimetres. After recording their measurements in the boxes provided, students will then cut, number or label the lines in order from longest to shortest—or shortest to longest, depending on the variation you choose to use. This option for flexible ordering gives teachers the ability to tailor the task based on learning goals or class level.

An additional version of the activity challenges students to draw their own five lines of varying lengths, before swapping their worksheet with a classmate to measure and order each other’s lines. This collaborative twist promotes peer discussion and adds variety to your measurement rotation activities. It’s a great opportunity for students to apply what they’ve learnt in a creative way while also checking the accuracy of their ruler use.

Key Learning Outcomes

• ✅ Accurately measure lengths using a standard ruler
• ✅ Record length in centimetres using correct notation
• ✅ Order and compare lengths from longest to shortest or vice versa
• ✅ Develop confidence in using a ruler as a measurement tool

What’s Included

• 1 worksheet with five pre-drawn lines for measuring
• Space to record each line’s length
• Instructional prompts for ordering the lines from longest to shortest or shortest to longest
• Optional version for students to draw their own five lines
• Peer worksheet swap prompt for collaborative extension

Materials Needed

• Printed worksheet (1 per student)
• Standard ruler (marked in centimetres)
• Pencils for drawing and recording
• Scissors (optional for physical sorting of lines)

How to Use

1. Hand out the worksheet with pre-drawn lines to each student.
2. Model how to line up a ruler correctly and record accurate centimetre measurements.
3. Students measure each line and write down the results.
4. They then order the five lines from longest to shortest, or shortest to longest based on teacher instruction.
5. For the extended version, students draw five lines of varying lengths and swap with a partner for peer measurement and ordering.

Ideas for Classroom Use

• 💡 Include this in a Maths rotation focused on measurement skills
• 💡 Use as a pre-assessment or post-assessment task to check ruler use confidence
• 💡 Have students check their measurements with a partner to reinforce accuracy and peer learning
• 💡 Challenge early finishers to estimate each line’s length before measuring

Top Teacher Tips

• 💛 Remind students to line up the zero on the ruler—not the edge—when measuring
• 💛 Use the peer swap version to create interactive learning and shared reflection
• 💛 For added engagement, let students colour-code lines before ordering
• 💛 Display student-created line sets as a measurement gallery wall

How Long? Measuring Lines is a flexible and focused way to strengthen essential measurement and comparison skills. Whether working independently or with a partner, students will enjoy this hands-on task while gaining confidence using rulers to measure and compare accurately.