Page 7 - Six_Bricks_Activity_Mats_Teacher_Guide

Teacher questions
The following are a sample of the questions that you could ask the children as they
work and converse in groups. You circulate the classroom, asking the questions, as they
measure, record and respond with answers and suggestions to you.
• How many bricks long is the green snake? Guess and check, then record.
• How many bricks long is the light blue snake? Guess and check, then record.
• How many bricks long is the dark blue snake? Guess and check, then record.
• Which snake do you think is the longest? Why?
• Which snake is the shortest? Why? How can you check that it is the shortest?
• How many bricks long is the yellow snake?

• Guess how many bricks long is the orange snake? Check to see if you are correct.
• How many bricks long is the red snake? Guess and check, then record.
• Write up a few statements on the whiteboard and have the children fill the gaps e.g.
finish these sentences:
◊ The orange snake is longer than the ______ snake
◊ The orange snake is shorter than the _______ snake
◊ The yellow snake is shorter than the ______ snake but longer than the ______ snake

Other activities

• Using their bricks and mat, the children could be asked to generate, write up and check
some statements of their own e.g. the yellow and orange snake together measure ___
bricks long.
• Have children make other oral comparative statements about the snakes e.g. I think the
light blue and yellow snake together, are the same length as the orange snake.
• Record some statements of the children together in writing e.g. Mary thinks the yellow
snake is longer than the light blue snake. Is she correct? How can we be sure?
• Practice making comparisons: The orange snake is long, the red snake is longer but the
green snake is the longest.
• Practice combining snakes: The light blue snake and the yellow snake are ___ bricks long
altogether.

• Extension Ideas:
◊ Instead of bricks, use another non-standard unit of measurement to measure the
snakes with e.g. compare bears, cubes or counters
◊ Use the bricks to measure and compare other objects around the classroom
◊ Use lollipop sticks to measure objects and make comparisons

Six Bricks, together with the software, the A3 mats and your other resources are a great
way to explore length in a solid practical way.

SixBrickseducation.com 7

16-06-2021 21:37:39
Six Bricks Activity Mats Teacher Guide.indd 7
Six Bricks Activity Mats Teacher Guide.indd 7 16-06-2021 21:37:39