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Math lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 60 minutes

Spot measuring mistakes: gaps and overlaps

Measurement

CCSS 1.MD.A.2England: Y1 Measurement

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Spot measuring mistakes: gaps and overlaps.

  • 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: Measure with same-size units and compare unit sizes

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 · 6 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Measure with same-size units and compare unit sizes). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. A grown-up measures a table and gets 7 hand-spans. Kwame's hand is smaller. Will Kwame count more or fewer hand-spans? (More / Fewer / The same) → MorePrompt: The table does not change.
  2. Isla measured a book with paper clips and got 6. Elena measured the same book with cubes and got 8. Which unit is longer? (The paper clip / The cube) → The paper clipPrompt: The book is the same length both times.
  3. A grown-up measures a table and gets 6 hand-spans. Zara's hand is smaller. Will Zara count more or fewer hand-spans? (More / Fewer / The same) → MorePrompt: The table does not change.

Hook · 6 min

  • Ask the class to estimate the length of the room or the weight of a bag before measuring it.
  • Share the objective: Spot measuring mistakes: gaps and overlaps. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 12 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Kofi measured a shelf with cubes but left gaps between them. Will Kofi's number be too big or too small?
  • Step 1: Gaps mean fewer cubes are counted: too small.
  • Step 2: Too small
  • Answer: Too small
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 12 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Ethan measured a shelf with cubes but left gaps between them. Will Ethan's number be too big or too small? (Too big / Too small / Just right) → Too smallPrompt: The gaps cover some of the shelf without a cube.
  2. What is the right way to measure a window sill with straws? (Pile the straws on top of each other in the middle / Line them up end to end with no gaps or overlaps, starting at one end / Use straws of different sizes / Spread the straws out with gaps to use fewer) → Line them up end to end with no gaps or overlaps, starting at one endPrompt: Every bit of the length must be covered exactly once.

You do: independent practice · 17 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 · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Ravi measured a shelf with cubes but left gaps between them. Will Ravi's number be too big or too small? (Too big / Too small / Just right) → Too smallPrompt: The gaps cover some of the shelf without a cube.
  2. What is the right way to measure a book with straws? (Use straws of different sizes / Pile the straws on top of each other in the middle / Spread the straws out with gaps to use fewer / Line them up end to end with no gaps or overlaps, starting at one end) → Line them up end to end with no gaps or overlaps, starting at one endPrompt: Every bit of the length must be covered exactly once.

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: Measure with same-size units and compare unit sizes.
  • 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-1.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Spot measuring mistakes: gaps and overlaps

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Hana measured a shelf with cubes but left gaps between them. Will Hana's number be too big or too small?

    • A. Too big
    • B. Too small
    • C. Just right

  2. Question 2

    What is the right way to measure a desk with cubes?

    • A. Spread the cubes out with gaps to use fewer
    • B. Use cubes of different sizes
    • C. Line them up end to end with no gaps or overlaps, starting at one end
    • D. Pile the cubes on top of each other in the middle

  3. Question 3

    Kofi measured a shelf with cubes but let them overlap. Will Kofi's number be too big or too small?

    • A. Too big
    • B. Too small
    • C. Just right

  4. Question 4

    Omar measured a shelf with cubes but let them overlap. Will Omar's number be too big or too small?

    • A. Too big
    • B. Too small
    • C. Just right

  5. Question 5

    What is the right way to measure a book with cubes?

    • A. Pile the cubes on top of each other in the middle
    • B. Line them up end to end with no gaps or overlaps, starting at one end
    • C. Use cubes of different sizes
    • D. Spread the cubes out with gaps to use fewer

  6. Question 6

    Zara measured a shelf with cubes but let them overlap. Will Zara's number be too big or too small?

    • A. Too big
    • B. Too small
    • C. Just right

  7. Question 7

    What is the right way to measure a window sill with straws?

    • A. Use straws of different sizes
    • B. Spread the straws out with gaps to use fewer
    • C. Pile the straws on top of each other in the middle
    • D. Line them up end to end with no gaps or overlaps, starting at one end

  8. Question 8

    Felix measured a shelf with cubes but left gaps between them. Will Felix's number be too big or too small?

    • A. Too big
    • B. Too small
    • C. Just right

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Answer key: Spot measuring mistakes: gaps and overlaps

  1. 1. B. Too small

  2. 2. C. Line them up end to end with no gaps or overlaps, starting at one end

  3. 3. A. Too big

  4. 4. A. Too big

  5. 5. B. Line them up end to end with no gaps or overlaps, starting at one end

  6. 6. A. Too big

  7. 7. D. Line them up end to end with no gaps or overlaps, starting at one end

  8. 8. B. Too small