Estimate, Then Measure in Centimeters

About this worksheet

The table has three columns, object, estimate and measure, and five rows: a fish (11 cm), a carrot (8), a worm (10), a paintbrush (6) and a leaf (5). The child guesses each length in centimeters before cutting out the 15 cm ruler at the bottom and measuring, then marks each guess L, S or C for too long, too short or close. Page 2 gives the five measurements and says a guess within 2 cm counts as close. Second graders need about ten minutes. Because centimeters are small, most children guess too low at first; a fingernail width as one centimeter is a handy reference to offer before they start.

Answer key at a glance

1) cm cm 11 ~; 2) cm cm 8 ~; 3) cm cm 10 ~; 4) cm cm 6 ~.

Tips for using it

• Keep the ruler folded under until all five estimates are written.
• Show that a fingernail is about 1 cm wide and use it to estimate the leaf.
• Count how many guesses earned a C and try to beat it on the inch version.
• Estimate and then measure a spoon from the kitchen in centimeters.

Printing tips

Download the PDF and print at 100% (or “fit to page” on A4). Page 1 is the worksheet and page 2 is the answer key with the answers in red; print just page 1 if you want to keep the answers for checking. Free for personal, family and classroom use.