Grade 2 · Unit 5: Using units of measurement

Metres and centimetres

Standard units mean everyone gets the same answer.

Measuring tape

A tailor measures you before sewing a shirt. She uses standard units: centimetres. Every tape measure has the same units.

Centimetres

Line up one end with 0 on the ruler. Read the number at the other end. The crayon is 9 centimetres (9 cm) long.

Metres

A metre is 100 centimetres. Use metres for long things: rooms, roads and rope. A big stride is about 1 metre.

Choose the unit

Small things: centimetres. Large things: metres. Would you measure a rickshaw in cm or m?

Drawing lines

Put the ruler flat. Start the pencil at 0. Draw along the edge to the number you need. Check: measure your line again.

What I learnt

• I can measure in centimetres with a ruler.
• I know 1 m = 100 cm.
• I can choose cm or m.