Support your students in developing accuracy and confidence when using a ruler with the engaging and hands-on activity: What’s the Length? This resource is designed to give students repeated practise reading and recording lengths using standard units of measurement. With a strong visual component and clear formatting, it’s ideal for building familiarity with using centimetres and millimetres in a meaningful context.

Included in this resource are 12 task cards, each displaying a different object or line for students to measure. Students will use a ruler to determine the exact length of each item and record their findings on the corresponding recording sheet. Whether students are new to measuring with a ruler or are ready to refine their precision, these cards provide a practical and visually appealing way to consolidate this essential skill.

This activity works well for independent work, small group rotations, or even as a quick maths warm-up. The simple structure allows for easy differentiation and classroom management. You can print and laminate the cards for long-term use or print them as needed for individual assessment or early finisher tasks. The task cards are suitable for classroom, home, or intervention settings and provide valuable opportunities for students to discuss, compare and check their answers with peers.

Key Learning Outcomes

• ✅ Accurately read and interpret length measurements using a standard ruler
• ✅ Develop familiarity with centimetres and millimetres
• ✅ Practise recording measurements with correct notation
• ✅ Improve measuring precision and fine motor coordination

What’s Included

• 12 illustrated task cards featuring various lines and objects to measure
• 1 student recording sheet with spaces for writing measurements
• Clear and consistent formatting across all cards
• Simple instructions to support independent use

Materials Needed

• Printed task cards (laminate for durability)
• Student recording sheets
• Standard rulers marked in centimetres and millimetres
• Pencils or fine liners for recording

How to Use

1. Begin by reviewing how to correctly align and use a ruler, ensuring students understand how to read both cm and mm.
2. Distribute the 12 task cards among students or set them up at a rotation station.
3. Provide students with a recording sheet and ruler.
4. Students measure each line or object shown on the cards and record the exact measurement in the appropriate box.
5. Check answers together or allow peer marking for immediate feedback and discussion.

Ideas for Classroom Use

• 💡 Use as a Maths rotation or centre task during your measurement unit
• 💡 Incorporate into a whole-class scavenger hunt style activity by hiding the cards around the room
• 💡 Use as a formative assessment task to track student progress in measuring accurately
• 💡 Print two sets and use for a group competition to see who can complete the task accurately the fastest

Top Teacher Tips

• 💛 Laminate the cards and provide dry-erase markers to allow for repeated practice
• 💛 Encourage students to check each other’s measurements to develop peer feedback skills
• 💛 Add challenge by asking students to estimate before measuring and compare their estimate to the result
• 💛 Pair with other measuring tasks or games to build a robust unit on length

What’s the Length? is a simple yet effective way to help students master the use of a ruler and accurately measure lengths using standard units. With 12 diverse task cards, this flexible resource is ideal for any classroom working on measurement skills.