Math lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 45 minutes
Measure length with units
Measurement
CCSS 1.MD.A.1CCSS 1.MD.A.2England: Y1 Measurement
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Measure length with 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: Compare length, height and weight; Count to 20
Leads to: Measure in cm, m, inches and feet; Measure with same-size units and compare unit sizes
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 (Compare length, height and weight; Count to 20). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Which is heavier: a balloon or a bowling ball? (a balloon / a bowling ball) → a bowling ballPrompt: Imagine holding each one.
- Which is heavier: a mouse or an elephant? (a mouse / an elephant) → an elephantPrompt: Imagine holding each one.
- Which is heavier: a car or a bicycle? (a car / a bicycle) → a carPrompt: Imagine holding each one.
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: Measure length with 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: Lucia's paper chain is 8 clips long. Sam's is 2 clips long. How many clips longer is Lucia's chain?
- Step 1: 8 − 2 = 6
- Answer: 6
- 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.
- Sam's paper chain is 8 clips long. Luis's is 7 clips long. How many clips longer is Sam's chain? → 1Prompt: Find the difference between the two lengths.
- Daniel's paper chain is 12 clips long. Liam's is 7 clips long. How many clips longer is Daniel's chain? → 5Prompt: Find the difference between the two lengths.
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.
- Jamal's paper chain is 9 clips long. Ethan's is 5 clips long. How many clips longer is Jamal's chain? → 4Prompt: Find the difference between the two lengths.
- Ravi's paper chain is 5 clips long. Mateo's is 4 clips long. How many clips longer is Ravi's chain? → 1Prompt: Find the difference between the two lengths.
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: Compare length, height and weight.
- 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: Measure in cm, m, inches and feet; Measure with same-size units and compare unit sizes.
- 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-1.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder