This One is Long

An activity of measurement that helps children concretely experience the concepts of long and short, while also improving their comparison and sequencing skills. Conducted outdoors; each child collects only one piece from nature (a branch, a leaf, or a blade of grass), and then the group arranges them from shortest to longest.

Purpose of the Activity

 To recognize the concepts of long and short and compare objects according to their length,

 To develop sequencing (short → long / long → short) and classification skills,

 To encourage respect for nature and cooperation while working with natural materials.

The Game

Before the activity, the teacher explains that only fallen natural materials may be collected. Each child selects a single piece from the garden: a branch, a leaf, or a small bunch of dry grass.

The collected materials are brought next to the “ordering line” drawn on the ground. Children first compare the objects with each other, saying which is shorter/longer, and place them side by side.

Then, as a group, all pieces are arranged in a single line from shortest to longest (or vice versa). If desired, a string/ribbon or ruler can be used to check the lengths and compare guesses with actual measurements.

Finally, questions such as “Why does this leaf look shorter?” or “How does a broken branch tip affect measurement?” are asked for reflection. Materials are returned without littering the area.

Rules:

 Each child collects only one piece; no harm is done to living things, no branches are broken.

 Objects are placed carefully along the ordering line; no one steps on another’s material.

 The ordering is done by group consensus; if needed, the teacher provides measurement support with a string or ribbon.

Caution!

The collection area must be safe; children should avoid risky objects such as thorns, glass, or sharp stones. Plants that may pose an allergy risk should not be touched.

At the end of the activity, all collected materials should be returned to nature, and hands must be cleaned properly according to hygiene rules.