## Project Information for Families

### I Can Measure!
We are learning about being a scientist and how we measure! We are also working on the name, shape, and sound of the letters P, T, and K and thinking about words and their different letters, lengths, and sounds. In Family Project 3, we want to encourage you to do one of the following projects:

**Option 1:** Complete the “I Can Measure!” poster attached to this sheet. This will include tracing and measuring feet, looking for measuring tools around you, and measuring with a ruler.

**Option 2:** Make your own measurement tool together. For example, you could create a ruler using jelly beans or paper clips. Try measuring with your tool and writing down what you found out to share with the class. Send your measurement tool with your child to Head Start to share.

We are always open to more ideas, so let us know if you think of another option to include. As you complete the project, we encourage you to take time to talk about:

- Different ways that you use measuring tools in your home and community: This might include following a recipe, checking the weather, or figuring out how much oil to put in your car.
- How to figure out how things work or to solve problems, just like a scientist does.
- Numbers on measuring tools and how you can count them together.
- Things around the home that have the letters P, T, and K in them: Encourage your child to try writing the letters in whatever way he or she can.
- How words have different lengths, letters, and sounds: Show your child how there are spaces in between words and that you can read them moving from left to right.

## Please try to send Family Project 3 back to the classroom by _________________.

## Project Information for the Classroom

### I Can Measure!
We are currently focusing on being a scientist and how to measure. There is also an emphasis on the name, shape, and sound of the letters P, T, and K and thinking about words and their different letters, lengths, and sounds (word awareness). For Family Project 3, families will be encouraged to measure with their child, either following activities on a poster or creating their own measuring tool. As these projects are sent back, consider doing the following:

- Have the child show his or her measurement poster or tool to everyone during circle time, and then talk about what they did.

Consider how you could acknowledge families’ expertise and meaningfully engage them in the classroom during this time. This may include inviting family members to come and talk about how they measure in their home or work:

- Invite someone who loves to cook or bake and encourage him or her to bring his or her favorite recipes to show.
- Invite a family member who is handy or mechanical to talk about how he or she needs to measure where to hammer nails or the amount of oil to put into a car.

Encourage children who made their own measurement tools to include these in the center. Write a short note to families who participated to thank them for taking the time to work on this together.

As you continue to talk about measurement in the classroom, continue to ask children about how they measure at home, reminding them of the project. Set up a measurement center and demonstrate how the children can measure items in different ways. Encourage children who made their own measurement tools to include these in the center.

### Hints for Completing the I Can Measure! Poster

#### The I Can Measure! Poster This poster was completed by ________________

### I Can Measure Feet!
Have fun tracing your child’s foot. Then, together, trace someone else’s foot beside it. Talk about which foot is the longest and which foot is the shortest. Write your answers in the lines provided at the bottom of this section.

### I Can Measure with a Ruler!
Use a ruler to help your child find the different items described and pictured in this section. Together, measure the items, taking time to show the child how to line up the ruler, how to count the numbers on the ruler, and—finally—how to write the number of inches on each line. For the last object, choose something special together and have your child draw a picture of it in the box.

### I Can Measure at Home!
Together, either draw or take a picture of your child using a measurement tool at home. This could be a clock, measuring cup or spoon, thermometer, measuring table, ruler, scale, etc. Then, together write a sentence in the line provided that describes what is being measured.

### I Can Measure with String!
In the classroom, we read a book called **Just How Long Can a Long String Be?**, written by Keith Baker (2009). The story talks about the different ways that you can use string and the different lengths it may need to be (e.g., a kite string, string in a ball of yarn, string in a nest). Ask your child what he or she would use a long and short piece of string for. Also, take the time to look at the word string, talking about the different letters in it and the sounds you hear. Supporting an awareness of words and measurements.