Length
Which ribbon is longer?
Ribbon B stretches further, so it is longer.
Year 1
Compare, describe and solve practical problems involving length, height, mass, weight, capacity, volume and time
Use everyday comparison words to describe which object is longer, taller, heavier, fuller or happens earlier or later.
Lesson overview
Measurement
We can compare things without measuring exactly first. We can look and ask: which is longer, shorter, taller, heavier, lighter, fuller, emptier, earlier or later? These words help us solve practical measurement problems.
Mass
Which bag is heavier?
The heavier bag feels weightier to lift.
Capacity and time
Which jug is fuller, and which event happens later?
A fuller jug holds more. Bedtime happens later than breakfast.
Worked example
Mia has two plants. One is taller. How do we know?
- Look at both plants from the same ground line.
- Check which one reaches higher.
- Plant B reaches higher, so it is taller.
- That means Plant A is shorter.
Answer: Plant B is taller.
Try it
Look carefully at what is being compared, then choose the best answer.
Question 1
Which pencil is longer?
Question 2
Which child is taller?
Question 3
Which box is heavier?
Question 4
Which cup is fuller?
Question 5
Which happens later in the day?
Common mistakes
These reminders help when comparing measures.
- Looking at the width of an object when the question is about height or length.
- Mixing up heavier and bigger, because a bigger object is not always heavier.
- For time, choosing what happens first when the question asks for later.
Related topics
These connect closely to practical comparison.
- Measure and begin to record lengths, heights, mass, weight, capacity, volume and time.
- Sequence events in chronological order using everyday time language.