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This is a favorite book of mine that I used to help children practice estimation of linear measurement. The idea is to engage learners by using different kinds of media and calling on multiple intelligences. Here is my lesson plan:
How Big Is a Foot?
Author: Rolf Myller
Book: http://www.amazon.com/How-Big-Foot-Rolf-Myller/dp/0440404959
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWhWL1MET7A
Summary: The king commands that a bed be built for the Queen for her birthday. But the bed is built too small because the king gives the measurements he made with his big feet (3 feet by 6 feet) to the young apprentice, who builds it, using his own little feet to apply the measurements. The story illustrates the problems that might occur if we do not have standard measurements.
Objectives
- Measure in inches and feet.
- Explain the importance of standardized measures.
- Summarize and express the main idea after reading a selection
BEFORE READING
Concrete experience. Ask: What size is the foot of your teacher? 
- Look and estimate.
- Measure and compare. (Use inches and/or centimeters.)
Ask: What size is your own foot?
- Look and estimate.
- Measure and compare.
- Draw your foot on graph paper and decorate to express your personality. Include measures of length and width.
- Hang the drawings on the wall, in order of size.
Predict. Look at the cover and choral read the title. Ask, “What do you think the book will be about?”
DURING READING
Infer. Ask: “What will happen? How do the characters feel? How can they solve the problem?”
Read actively. Take turns reading in pairs. Read only until the apprentice is in jail.
- Everyone should chorally read the sentences in all caps.
- Imitate the King thinking and other gestures.
- As it comes up, say many times in a rhythm: “3 feet wide by 6 feet long!”
- Dramatize (during or after reading) command chain.
- The King is the boy with the longest feet. (If there is not much difference between the boys, use the teacher’s shoes for the King’s feet.)
- The Queen is the girl with the longest feet.
- The Apprentice is the person—boy or girl—with smallest feet.
- The First Minister, Head of Carpenters and Jailer can be of either sex and can have feet of any size.
- Make (during or after reading) the outlines of the two beds, using blue painter’s tape on the inside or chalk on the ground outside. Use two volunteers to help the King and Apprentice. Ask the Queen to try both.
AFTER READING
Respond. If you like the selection, say, “Foot!”
Retell. Do one or more of the following:
- Use puppets to act out the story.
- Ask children to write and draw the Apprentice their advice to escape the prison. (This idea is from the wonderful Marilyn Burns!)
- Sing:
How do we measure?
With your foot or mine?
Just use a ruler
And things will be fine!
Allow the children, one by one, to try the “beds.”
Extend. Do one or more of the following:
- Find something on your legs or arms that is about 12” that you can use to measure when no ruler.
- Measure with your steps. How long is your foot? How long is one step you take? Practicing estimating and measuring the length of floors with your steps.
- Find things in the environment that are roughly a foot in length. Estimate and measure. Which team can find more things?
- Investigate the history of the ruler.
Reflect Ask: What activity do you like most and why?
