Length and Perimeter - Measure length m - Planning

In the Year 3 spring term lesson on Measurement: Length and Height, students are introduced to the concept of measuring lengths using the metric unit 'metre'. The lesson starts with a review of previous learning, where children are asked to recall the unit 'centimetre' and relate it to 'metre'. They are then taught how to measure objects using a metre stick, with the aim of understanding the difference between objects that are longer or shorter than a metre. Key vocabulary such as 'metre', 'centimetre', 'length', and comparative terms like 'long/longer' and 'short/shorter' are discussed, with resources like metre sticks, trundle wheels, and various objects for measurement at hand. Children are encouraged to start measuring from zero to ensure accuracy.

The lesson comprises several practical activities, including measuring objects in the classroom and grouping them based on their length in relation to a metre, as well as counting in 10cm increments to reinforce the concept that 100cm is equivalent to 1 metre. In a more interactive task, children estimate and measure how far they can run in a set time, comparing their own speeds to that of famous sprinter Usain Bolt. The lesson also prompts children to consider which objects are more appropriately measured in metres and the reasoning behind this choice. Throughout the lesson, misconceptions about the size of a metre are addressed, and the children are engaged in reflective activities to consolidate their learning and the skills they have practised, such as measuring and sorting objects according to length.