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Physical Measurement Laboratory

Office of Weights and Measures

Metric Bookmark

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Black and White graphic. Left side has black images of scales, rulers, SI logo. Right side has white images on black background of same items. The middle of image has a gray cirle with EDUCATION in black letters.
metric bookmark
Credit: NIST

Metric Bookmark
Edition: 2001

 

Keywords:Activity, classroom, International System of Units, kilogram, length, mass, measure, meter, metric system, ruler, temperature
Audience:Students, educators, parents, public, technology coordinators, outreach ambassadors, formal, informal
Grade Level:K to Higher Education
Subjects:Art, biology, chemistry, life science, Earth science, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, physical science, physics, STEM, technology

Summary

This resource provides a printable metric unit bookmark, which has unit references and a 116 cm ruler to use as a measurement reference. Print the two (2) page template on Tabloid/Ledger paper of size 279.4 mm x 431.8 mm (11 in x 17 in) in duplex (back-to-back). The printed template will create four bookmarks once cut. This resource is an interactive method to engage students in metric units and measures. Caution: The ruler edge will not be accurate if other paper sizes are used.

Did you know that you can obtain a free set of metric education resources for use in your classroom? Contact the NIST Metric Program at TheSI [at] nist.gov (TheSI[at]nist[dot]gov) and include your name, school, subject, grade level, phone number, and U.S. mailing address. Publication requests may also be made using the OWM Contacts System. The NIST SI Teacher Kit contains a curated collection of instructional measurement resources. A metric ruler is a valuable tool for science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) classrooms.

  • Become familiar with the International System of units and prefixes.
  • Apply SI units of length. Use the metric ruler to measure small objects.
  • Accurately read and interpret SI length scales.
  • Develop skills in measuring objects and estimating lengths using the metric system.

  • Digital file.
  • Tabloid/Ledger paper of size 279.4 mm x 431.8 mm (11 in x 17 in).
  • Printer.
  • Scissors.

Use caution when handling paper edges and scissors to prevent injury.

  • Use the Top 10 Tips for Teaching the Metric System.
    • Make measurements with metric tools. Measurement concepts are meaningfully established through hands-on activities. Application, not memorization, is the key to success! The SI is easy to learn when taught using metric tools.
    • Practice building proficiency and confidence in making measurements. Measurement involves doing.
    • Develop reference points. How long? How big? How small? It’s important for students to gradually develop an intuitive feeling for the magnitude of commonly used metric units, including the millimeter (mm) and centimeter (cm).
    • Use an interdisciplinary approach. Bring the SI into classrooms at every opportunity, including during instruction in language arts, fine arts, social sciences, industrial arts, vocational technologies, consumer studies, and physical fitness. For example, origami combines art, geometry, and engineering while applying metric length, area, and volume measurements.
  • Explain the SI unit relationships and discuss prefixes displayed on the bookmark.
  • Demonstrate how to use the 16 cm ruler.
  • Engage students in practical exercises, such as measuring objects in the classroom with the metric ruler. Estimate the length of objects, then verify the length with the metric ruler.

EXPLORE THE METRIC PROGRAM

Becoming Familiar with SI | Everyday Estimation | Metrication FAQs | Prefixes | Metric Kitchen | SI Education and Training | SI Publications | Understanding Metric | Writing with Metric Units | National Metric Week | NEST-R (STEM Registry) | NIST Education Resources

Metrology, Metric and Weights and measures

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Created July 13, 2022, Updated August 29, 2025
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