Make length comparison lessons hands-on and fun with the Length Comparison: Write the Room Activity. This interactive and movement-based resource gets your students up and about as they explore, compare and record the lengths of different item collections around the classroom. With opportunities to use informal measurement tools and practice key vocabulary like “longer than” and “shorter than,” this activity is perfect for introducing early measurement skills.

Students will search the classroom for sets of measurement cards. On each card, two collections of classroom items are pictured. Your students will carefully examine both and decide which collection is longer or shorter. Using their recording sheet, they will colour in or mark the correct response – either the longer or shorter collection, depending on the card type. This makes the activity adaptable to different learning goals and groups.

This task also provides an excellent opportunity to familiarise your students with common informal measurement items, such as paperclips, unifix cubes and teddy bear counters. It's the perfect blend of movement, observation and maths reasoning – all while reinforcing length comparison vocabulary and visual estimation skills.

Key Learning Outcomes

• ✅ Compare lengths using informal units and visual observation
• ✅ Use vocabulary such as "longer than" and "shorter than" accurately
• ✅ Record findings clearly using a provided template
• ✅ Engage in whole-class or small group measurement activities

What’s Included

• Set of “longer than” comparison cards
• Set of “shorter than” comparison cards
• Recording sheet for students to complete as they move around the room
• Instructions and setup suggestions for classroom use

Materials Needed

• Printed comparison cards
• Recording sheets for each student
• Colouring pencils or bingo dobbers
• Optional: clipboards for easy on-the-go writing
• Examples of informal measurement tools to reference:
  • - Paperclips
  • - Matchsticks
  • - Unifix blocks
  • - Base 10 units
  • - Plastic teddy bear counters
  • - Pencils

How to Use

1. Choose whether your class will work on “longer than” or “shorter than” comparisons (or split into two groups).
2. Print and cut the comparison cards. Hide them around the classroom or place them at set stations.
3. Give each student a recording sheet and either colouring pencils or bingo markers.
4. Explain that students will walk around the room, find the cards, and compare the two pictured collections on each one.
5. On their recording sheet, students will mark the correct picture that represents either the longer or shorter item collection.
6. Optional: after the activity, discuss as a class how they made their decisions and what items they would use to measure the objects in real life.

Ideas for Classroom Use

• 💡 Use this activity as part of a Maths rotation station during a unit on measurement
• 💡 Introduce key vocabulary through a shared lesson first, then reinforce through the activity
• 💡 Create a “measurement museum” wall where students can draw their favourite card comparison and explain their reasoning
• 💡 Extend learning by having students create their own “longer than” or “shorter than” picture cards for classmates to solve

Top Teacher Tips

• 💛 Print cards on thick paper or laminate for durability and reuse
• 💛 Pair students together for support, especially during early attempts
• 💛 Use real examples of the objects shown in the cards for a tactile learning extension
• 💛 Keep clipboards or portable writing surfaces handy to help students record easily while standing

This hands-on resource offers a fantastic way to integrate movement, observation and foundational maths skills. Whether used independently, in pairs or during rotations, your students will love investigating and comparing with this engaging “write the room” length activity. No em dashes needed – just practical, purposeful fun!