• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Observing with our senses). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which sense would you use to notice the shape of a cloud? (sight (eyes) / hearing (ears) / smell (nose) / touch (skin)) → sight (eyes)Prompt: Which part of your body would notice it?
2. Which of these would you notice using smell (nose)? (how rough tree bark is / smoke from a bonfire / a bird singing / the size of a puddle) → smoke from a bonfirePrompt: Imagine doing each one. Which body part would you use?
3. Which tool helps you look at a tiny bug more closely? (a ruler / a thermometer / a magnifying glass / a clock) → a magnifying glassPrompt: Which tool makes things look bigger?

• Show a simple experiment with one thing changed and ask what makes it a fair test.
• Share the objective: Choosing a measuring tool. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Which tool would you use to measure how tall a sunflower has grown?
• Step 1: A ruler or tape measure measures length (how long, wide or tall).
• Step 2: So the answer is: a ruler or tape measure
• Answer: a ruler or tape measure
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Which tool would you use to measure how much juice is in a carton? (a measuring jug or cylinder / a stopwatch or timer / a thermometer / weighing scales) → a measuring jug or cylinderPrompt: Is it a length, a temperature, a mass, a time or an amount of liquid?
2. What could you measure with a stopwatch or timer? (how heavy a pet hamster is / the mass of a pumpkin / how long a candle burns / the width of a leaf) → how long a candle burnsPrompt: What does this tool measure: length, temperature, mass, time or volume?

• 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.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Zara wants to know if her bean plant grows taller each day. What should she use? (a thermometer / weighing scales / a ruler / a stopwatch) → a rulerPrompt: She wants to know how tall it is.
2. Which tool would you use to measure the temperature outside? (a thermometer / a stopwatch or timer / weighing scales / a measuring jug or cylinder) → a thermometerPrompt: Is it a length, a temperature, a mass, a time or an amount of liquid?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-1.