Math lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 45 minutes
Litres and millilitres problems
Measurement
CCSS 3.MD.A.2England: Y3 Measurement
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Litres and millilitres 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: Mass and capacity
Leads to: Convert kilograms and grams, litres and millilitres
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 (Mass and capacity). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Grace puts 407 g of flour and 423 g of sugar in a bowl. What is the total mass in grams? → 830Prompt: Both amounts use the same unit, so you can add them.
- Ethan pours 544 ml of juice and 345 ml of water into a jug. How many millilitres are in the jug? → 889Prompt: Both amounts use the same unit, so you can add them.
- Sam pours 547 ml of juice and 335 ml of water into a jug. How many millilitres are in the jug? → 882Prompt: Both amounts use the same unit, so you can add them.
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: Litres and millilitres 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: A jug holds 1 litre of water. Tariq pours 2 glasses of 150 ml. How much water is left in the jug, in ml?
- Step 1: 2 × 150 = 300
- Step 2: 1000 − 300 = 700
- Step 3: 700 ml
- Answer: 700
- 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.
- A jug holds 1 litre of water. Priya pours 3 glasses of 250 ml. How much water is left in the jug, in ml? → 250Prompt: 1 litre is 1000 ml.
- How many millilitres are in 1 l 900 ml? → 1900Prompt: Change the litres to millilitres first.
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.
- A jug holds 1 litre of water. Zara pours 3 glasses of 250 ml. How much water is left in the jug, in ml? → 250Prompt: 1 litre is 1000 ml.
- How many millilitres are in 3 l 300 ml? → 3300Prompt: Change the litres to millilitres first.
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: Mass and capacity.
- 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: Convert kilograms and grams, litres and millilitres.
- 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-3.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder