Math lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 45 minutes
Convert units of length, mass, capacity and time
Measurement
CCSS 4.MD.A.1CCSS 4.MD.A.2England: Y4 MeasurementEngland: Y5 Measurement
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Convert units of length, mass, capacity and time.
- 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; Multiply by a one-digit number
Leads to: Convert metric units with decimals; Convert metric lengths: km, m, cm and mm
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; Multiply by a one-digit number). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Omar puts 181 g of flour and 258 g of sugar in a bowl. What is the total mass in grams? → 439Prompt: Both amounts use the same unit, so you can add them.
- 29 × 6 = ? → 174Prompt: Split 29 into tens and ones: 20 + 9.
- Daniel puts 460 g of flour and 142 g of sugar in a bowl. What is the total mass in grams? → 602Prompt: 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: Convert units of length, mass, capacity and time. 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: 11 pounds = how many ounces?
- Step 1: 11 × 16 = 176
- Answer: 176
- 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.
- 10 weeks = how many days? → 70Prompt: 1 week = 7 days.
- Write 149 s in min and s. How many whole min? → 2Prompt: How many 60s fit into 149?
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.
- 10 minutes = how many seconds? → 600Prompt: 1 minute = 60 seconds.
- Write 360 cm in m and cm. How many whole m? → 3Prompt: How many 100s fit into 360?
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 metric units with decimals; Convert metric lengths: km, m, cm and mm.
- 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-4.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder