Inch by Inch Lesson Plan
- Grades: PreK–K, 1–2
About this book
- Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni
- writing pencils, one per student
- glue sticks
- copies from the book
Set Up and Prepare
Turn to the page where the nightingale is telling the worm to measure its song. Use your copy machine to adjust the size of the inchworm to one inch. Make multiple copies of the inchworm. (You will need approximately 9 per student.) Cut the inchworms apart. (It's not necessary to cut around their edges, just cut the extra paper off from their heads and tails.) You might choose to have students do the cutting. Turn to the page featuring the heron's legs. Make one copy per student, plus an extra for the demonstration.
Post the heron picture in your meeting area. Have students estimate how many inchworms long the legs are. Using a glue stick, demonstrate how to glue the inchworms end to end, along the legs. Stop after gluing three. Use a pencil to label the inch worms, 1, 2, 3. Have students continue the activity at their desks, glue the inchworms along the entirety of the heron's legs. When students have finished, have them share their results.
Supporting All Learners
Remind students to spread the glue on the inchworm, not on the heron paper.
Copy other animals from the book, for students to measure.
Use the inchworms to measure real objects in the room.