Math lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 30 minutes
Compare length, height and weight
Measurement
CCSS K.MD.A.1CCSS K.MD.A.2England: Reception MeasuresEngland: Y1 Measurement
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Compare length, height and weight.
- 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: Compare numbers to 10
Leads to: Measure length with units
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 (Compare numbers to 10). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
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 length, height and weight. 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: Which is lighter: a balloon or a bowling ball?
- Step 1: A balloon is lighter.
- Answer: a balloon
- 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.
- Which is heavier: a bag of potatoes or a feather? (a bag of potatoes / a feather) → a bag of potatoesPrompt: Imagine holding each one.
- Which is lighter: a bag of potatoes or a feather? (a bag of potatoes / a feather) → a featherPrompt: Imagine holding each one.
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.
- Which is lighter: a bowling ball or a balloon? (a bowling ball / a balloon) → a balloonPrompt: Imagine holding each one.
- Which is heavier: a grape or a watermelon? (a grape / a watermelon) → a watermelonPrompt: Imagine holding each one.
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: Compare numbers to 10.
- 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
- Move on to: Measure length with units.
- 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/kindergarten.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder