Math lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 45 minutes
Multi-step problems with US customary units
Measurement
CCSS 5.MD.A.1
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Multi-step problems with US 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: US customary weight and capacity: ounces, pounds, cups, pints, quarts, gallons
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 · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (US customary weight and capacity: ounces, pounds, cups, pints, quarts, gallons). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- (US units) 3 pounds = ? ounces → 48Prompt: 1 pound = 16 ounces.
- (US units) 6 gallons = ? quarts → 24Prompt: 1 gallon = 4 quarts.
- (US units) A bag of nuts weighs 2 lb 8 oz. It is split into portions of 8 oz. How many portions are there? → 5Prompt: Change everything into ounces first (1 lb = 16 oz).
Hook · 5 min
- Ask the class to estimate the length of the room or the weight of a bag before measuring it.
- Share the objective: Multi-step problems with US customary units. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: (US units) A ribbon is 5 yards long. It is cut into pieces 9 inches long. How many pieces are there?
- Step 1: 5 × 36 = 180
- Step 2: 180 ÷ 9 = 20
- Answer: 20
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- (US units) A ribbon is 2 yards long. It is cut into pieces 12 inches long. How many pieces are there? → 6Prompt: 1 yard is 36 inches.
- (US units) A cooler holds 5 gallons of water. Each player drinks 2 cups. How many players can have a drink? (1 gallon = 16 cups) → 40Prompt: Change gallons into cups.
You do: independent practice · 10 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- (US units) A ribbon is 2 yards long. It is cut into pieces 18 inches long. How many pieces are there? → 4Prompt: 1 yard is 36 inches.
- (US units) A cooler holds 5 gallons of water. Each player drinks 2 cups. How many players can have a drink? (1 gallon = 16 cups) → 40Prompt: Change gallons into cups.
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: US customary weight and capacity: ounces, pounds, cups, pints, quarts, gallons.
- 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-5.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder