Length, Days of the Week and Time: Foundation Study Guide
Measurement starts with comparing and ordering things we can see and feel, and with the rhythm of days and weeks.
Foundation children compare length (longer, shorter), mass (heavier, lighter) and capacity (holds more, holds less) by direct comparison. They also learn about time through routines: morning, afternoon, night, yesterday, today and tomorrow.
There are seven days in a week and twelve months in a year. Australian seasons are the reverse of the northern hemisphere: summer is December to February.
Comparing
To compare length, line the objects up at the same starting point. For mass, use a balance scale: the lower side is heavier. For capacity, pour water from one container into another and see which holds more.
| Measure | Words | How to compare |
|---|---|---|
| Length | longer, shorter, taller | Line up one end |
| Mass | heavier, lighter | Use hands or a balance |
| Capacity | holds more, holds less | Pour from one to another |
Days, months and seasons
The days of the week are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The months are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. In Australia the seasons are summer (December to February), autumn (March to May), winter (June to August) and spring (September to November).
Monday to Sunday.
Colour it in.
What did we do? What will we do?
Telling time to the hour
A clock has two hands. The short hand points to the hour and the long hand points to the minutes. When the long hand points straight up to 12, it is an 'o'clock' time. If the short hand points to 3, it is 3 o'clock. Start with a big, clear clock face and move the hands together.
Worked examples and common mistakes
Example: Today is Wednesday. Tomorrow is Thursday and yesterday was Tuesday. Example: The long hand is on 12 and the short hand is on 7. It is 7 o'clock. Common mistakes: measuring from different starting points, mixing up the short and long hands, and thinking the taller container always holds more (a tall thin glass may hold less than a short wide bowl). Compare by pouring.
Check your understanding: model answers
1. Saturday. 2. Answers vary. Check that the month is one of the twelve months and in the right order of the year. 3. The long hand points to 12 and the short hand points to 5.
✨ Key Takeaways
- Compare length, mass and capacity directly.
- Seven days make a week; twelve months make a year.
- In Australia, summer is December to February.
- The short hand shows the hour and the long hand the minutes.
💬 Questions for Discussion & Reflection
- What day comes after Friday?
- Which month do you have a birthday?
- Show 5 o'clock on a clock.
Print a record sheet for measuring →