Math lesson plan · 2nd grade (Year 3 in England) · 45 minutes
Length story problems
Measurement
CCSS 2.MD.B.5England: Y2 MeasurementEngland: Y3 Measurement
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Length story problems.
- 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: How much longer? Compare two lengths; Add two-digit numbers with regrouping
Leads to: Show length sums and differences on a number line
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 (How much longer? Compare two lengths; Add two-digit numbers with regrouping). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Tariq's paper plane flew 36 cm. Noah's flew 16 cm. How much further did Tariq's plane fly? → 20Prompt: 'How much further' means find the difference.
- Ana's paper plane flew 91 cm. Chloe's flew 54 cm. How much further did Ana's plane fly? → 37Prompt: 'How much further' means find the difference.
- Hiro's paper plane flew 61 cm. Isla's flew 53 cm. How much further did Hiro's plane fly? → 8Prompt: 'How much further' means find the difference.
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: Length story problems. 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: Aisha joins a 19 cm strip of paper and a 22 cm strip end to end. How long is the new strip?
- Step 1: 19 + 22 = 41
- Step 2: 41 cm
- Answer: 41
- 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.
- Kwame joins a 45 cm strip of paper and a 15 cm strip end to end. How long is the new strip? → 60Prompt: End to end means add the lengths.
- Liam has a 61 cm piece of string and cuts off 48 cm. How long is the piece that is left? → 13Prompt: Cutting off takes length away.
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.
- Grace has a 81 cm piece of string and cuts off 63 cm. How long is the piece that is left? → 18Prompt: Cutting off takes length away.
- Last year Luis was 117 cm tall. This year Luis is 122 cm tall. How many centimetres did Luis grow? → 5Prompt: Find the difference between the two heights.
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: How much longer? Compare two lengths.
- 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: Show length sums and differences on a number line.
- 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-2.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder