Math lesson plan · 8th grade (Year 9 in England) · 30 minutes
Convert area and volume units
Measurement
CCSS HSN.Q.A.1England: GCSE Foundation GeometryEngland: GCSE Higher Geometry
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Convert area and volume 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; Volume of cuboids (rectangular prisms)
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; Volume of cuboids (rectangular prisms)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- 1.1 kg = how many g? → 1100Prompt: 1 kg = 1000 g.
- A box is 4 ft long, 2 ft wide and 3 ft high. What is its volume, in ft³? → 24Prompt: Volume = length × width × height.
- Sam runs 2.9 km and then walks 674 m. How far is that altogether, in metres? → 3574Prompt: 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 area and volume 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: How many cm³ are in 8 m³?
- Step 1: 1 m³ = 1 000 000 cm³
- Step 2: 8 × 1 000 000 = 8 000 000 cm³
- Answer: 8000000
- 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.
- How many cm² are in 3 m²? → 30000Prompt: 1 m = 100 cm, so 1 m² is a square 100 cm by 100 cm.
- Convert 72 km/h into metres per second. → 20Prompt: 1 km is 1000 m and 1 hour is 3600 seconds.
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.
- Convert 54 km/h into metres per second. → 15Prompt: 1 km is 1000 m and 1 hour is 3600 seconds.
- How many cm² are in 4 m²? → 40000Prompt: 1 m = 100 cm, so 1 m² is a square 100 cm by 100 cm.
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-8.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder