Origins of Measurements — FactMonster.com

Origins of Measurements

Subbing in a fourth grade classroom, I was reviewing measurements on a ruler along with fractions of an inch. I thought it would be interesting to add a little history to the lesson. And the lesson went well.

The history of measurements is very instructing. Just check the sites listed below. . .

[ Origins of Measurements — FactMonster.com]

In all traditional measuring systems, short distance units are based on the dimensions of the human body. The inch represents the width of a thumb; in fact, in many languages, the word for "inch" is also the word for "thumb." The foot (12 inches) was originally the length of a human foot, although it has evolved to be longer than most people's feet. The yard (3 feet) seems to have gotten its start in England as the name of a 3-foot measuring stick, but it is also understood to be the distance from the tip of the nose to the end of the middle finger of the outstretched hand. Finally, if you stretch your arms out to the sides as far as possible, your total "arm span," from one fingertip to the other, is a fathom (6 feet).

[From Units: Customary Units]

Imperial Measures of Length

[From Imperial Measures of Length]

For students: Have some fun measuring things around your home, measure how far it is to your neighbor's, measure how tall you are. Use different units of measure, try inches, feet, yards, maybe even use something you make up yourself. Have fun with it.