Math lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 30 minutes
Convert between metric and customary units
Measurement
CCSS 6.RP.A.3.DEngland: Y6 MeasurementEngland: KS3 Ratio
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Convert between metric and customary units.
- 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: Convert metric units with decimals; Unit rates
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 (Convert metric units with decimals; Unit rates). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- 9.5 cm = how many mm? → 95Prompt: 1 cm = 10 mm.
- 9 notebooks cost $81. What is the cost of one notebook? (Type the number only.) → 9Prompt: A unit rate is the amount for ONE.
- Yuki runs 1.3 km and then walks 447 m. How far is that altogether, in metres? → 1747Prompt: Change both distances to the same unit first.
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: Convert between metric and customary units. 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: 5 miles is about 8 km. About how many miles is 32 km?
- Step 1: 32 ÷ 8 = 4
- Step 2: 4 × 5 = 20 miles
- Answer: 20
- 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.
- 5 miles is about 8 km. About how many miles is 80 km? → 50Prompt: How many groups of 8 km are in 80 km?
- 1 inch = 2.54 cm. How many centimetres is 5 inches? Round to 1 decimal place. → 12.7Prompt: Multiply the number of inches by 2.54.
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.
- 5 miles is about 8 km. About how many miles is 64 km? → 40Prompt: How many groups of 8 km are in 64 km?
- 1 inch = 2.54 cm. How many centimetres is 2 inches? Round to 1 decimal place. → 5.1Prompt: Multiply the number of inches by 2.54.
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: Convert metric units with decimals.
- 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-6.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder