Math lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 30 minutes
Compare two lengths using a third object
Measurement
CCSS 1.MD.A.1England: Y1 Measurement
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Compare two lengths using a third object.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Order three things by length
Leads to: the next skill in this area.
Materials: Rulers, scales and measuring jugs, Clock faces, Conversion chart, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 4 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Order three things by length). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Priya's pencil is longer than Elena's. Elena's pencil is longer than Zoe's. Whose pencil is the longest? (Priya / Elena / Zoe) → PriyaPrompt: Draw three lines to show the pencils.
- Sam's pencil is longer than Noah's. Noah's pencil is longer than Zara's. Whose pencil is the longest? (Sam / Noah / Zara) → SamPrompt: Draw three lines to show the pencils.
- Sofia's pencil is longer than Ethan's. Ethan's pencil is longer than Ana's. Whose pencil is the shortest? (Sofia / Ethan / Ana) → AnaPrompt: Draw three lines to show the pencils.
Hook · 3 min
- Ask the class to estimate the length of the room or the weight of a bag before measuring it.
- Share the objective: Compare two lengths using a third object. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 7 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Hana's ribbon is shorter than Sofia's. Sofia's ribbon is shorter than Ana's. Whose ribbon is the shortest?
- Step 1: Shortest to longest: Hana, Sofia, Ana.
- Step 2: Hana
- Answer: Hana
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 6 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Zoe's ribbon is shorter than Nia's. Nia's ribbon is shorter than Daniel's. Whose ribbon is the longest? (Zoe / Nia / Daniel) → DanielPrompt: Nia's ribbon is longer than one and shorter than the other.
- A string is longer than the table but shorter than the bookcase. Which is longer, the table or the bookcase? (The table / The bookcase) → The bookcasePrompt: The string is a measuring tool here.
You do: independent practice · 7 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 3 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- A string is longer than the door but shorter than the rug. Which is longer, the door or the rug? (The door / The rug) → The rugPrompt: The string is a measuring tool here.
- Diego's ribbon is shorter than Elena's. Elena's ribbon is shorter than Priya's. Whose ribbon is the longest? (Diego / Elena / Priya) → PriyaPrompt: Elena's ribbon is longer than one and shorter than the other.
Watch out for
- Measuring from the end of the ruler instead of zero.
- Converting units the wrong way (multiplying instead of dividing).
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Order three things by length.
- Use concrete materials: rulers, scales and measuring jugs.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-1.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder