Exploratorium
Life Size - Explore the Size and Scale of Microscopic Biology
Compare sizes of microscopic items. Given a set of labels of microscopic objects, pupils try to place them in order from smallest to largest. Scholars then compare their lists to the actual comparisons along with the measurements of the...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Big vs. Little - Macro to Micro Lesson 1
Small and large are relative terms; what's the best way to quantify them? Young scientists take on that challenge as they complete an interactive activity to explore size. They build structures during their exploration and begin using...
California Academy of Science
Moons in Comparison
Just how big is Earth's moon? With a hands-on simulation, scholars use Play-Doh to model the sizes of the planets Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and their moons. They make predictions as a class, work together to make their models, and discuss...
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
The Planets and Scale
Scholars gain an insight into the relative size of planets and distance between inner and outer planets with the help of informational text, a data table, and a series of four questions.
DK Publishing
Thin, Thinner, Thinnest
Reinforce comparative adjectives and relative size with a drawing activity. Kindergartners study a thin house and a thin balloon, then draw a thinner version of each. They also choose the thinnest bottle and lollipop in a group. Focus on...
Curated OER
Thick, Thicker, Thickest
Do your kindergartners know the difference between thick and thin? After reviewing a picture of a tree and a candle, kids draw a thicker version of each in the space provided. They also draw a ring around the thickest pencil and the...
DK Publishing
Tall, Taller, Tallest
Reinforce relative size and following directions. After looking at a small bottle and flower, kindergartners draw a taller version of each in the circle provided. They then choose the tallest building out of five. Bring the lesson to...
Curated OER
Short, Shorter, Shortest, Part 2
Can your kindergartners draw a shorter tree? What about a shorter kite string? Reinforce relative size and comparing with a clever worksheet. It prompts young learners to study a picture and draw a shorter version, and to choose the...
Curated OER
Long, Longer, Longest
This worm might be long, but can scholars draw an even longer worm? Focus on relative size as they draw a longer worm and then a longer necklace. Next, youngsters examine two sets of objects and check off the longest in an introduction...
Curated OER
Guess the Weight, Height, or Length Worksheet
Kids can estimate weight, length, and height. Here, they circle the measurement that best describes the length, height, or weight of 10 different objects.
Curated OER
What are Stars?
Students research the solar system and it's characteristics. In this solar system lesson, students are broken into 4 groups, each assigned a specific part of the solar system. Students use the Internet to research their part of the...
Curated OER
Relative Size Lesson Plan for First Grade
First graders compare triangle sizes, square sizes, and lengths. They use manipulatives of three varied sized triangles, squares, and strips to measure and compare relative size and length.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Estimation
Explore size estimation in one, two, and three dimensions! Multiple levels of difficulty allow for progressive skill improvement.
Other
H Twins: The Scale of the Universe 2
Use the scroll bar on this site to zoom in and out of this site which will show you the relative sizes of hundreds of things in our univers, from the smallest currently known - quantum foam - to the largest - our universe. Click on any...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Make Your Own Powers of Ten
Watch Charles and Ray Eames's Powers of Ten video, and then create a similar project while exploring scale.
Other
Nanozone: How Small Is Small?
Learn about the relative size of nanometers, micrometers, centimeters, and meters by arranging objects, such as red blood cells, hair, and a penny, from smallest to largest.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia Museum of Art: How Big Is Africa? [Pdf]
Comparative map of Africa that demonstrates the size of its landmass in relation to that of Europe, the United States, and China.