Estimate Length Using Your Classroom Floor or Wall

This idea comes from the Calendar Math curriculum and it evolved with other teachers’ ideas.  Allow your students to estimate the length of placing a foot on your floor or wall every day of the month (usually about 30 feet).  Allow students to put their initials on masking tape and mark where they think the 30 feet will stop.  About midway through the month, allow students to change their predictions based on how long the line is.  Offer a reward for the closest estimates.  You will have to use legal sized paper to copy inch squared grid paper with 12 inches for a foot.  Although it becomes messy, allow students to tape these down.  They become more engaged in the activity.  Copy the foot strips in two different colors to alternate them on the floor so that each foot will stand out.