Connecting snap cubes, about 10 per student; a variety of concrete objects for students to measure using the snap cubes (e.g., a small book, a building block, a pencil, etc.) Choose objects for the collection that are about as long as or shorter than 10 connecting snap cubes.

Students measure the length of an object chosen from a collection of concrete objects. This activity works well with a small group of students. Model the measuring of an object first.

After students have had time to measure their object, record the results on chart paper. Expect students to include the unit used in measuring. For example, "The pencil is 5 cubes long." It is imperative that students name the unit used to measure.

Switch objects and ask students to measure the new object and to tell how long it is. Results should be about the same as the first time, but could be very different depending on how students began the measuring process. If results are noticeably different, it is an excellent time to ask a student to measure the object and talk about how he/she measured the object.