Length and Perimeter - Equivalent Lengths m and cm - Planning

In a Year 3 maths lesson, students delve into the concept of equivalent lengths in metres and centimetres. Key resources such as worksheets, presentations, metre rules, trundle wheels, and measuring tapes aid in the teaching process. The lesson starts with a review of how many millimetres are in a centimetre and how many centimetres make up a metre, which is visually reinforced on the 'working wall'. Through practical activities, children learn that 100 centimetres are equivalent to 1 metre, and they apply this knowledge by converting multiples of 100 centimetres into metres and vice versa. They use a metre rule to identify missing measurements and engage in a challenge to label lengths on two metre rules, expressing them in both metres and centimetres (e.g., 1m and 30cm).

Further exploration of measurements is encouraged through partner discussions and activities, where children match equivalent measurements and use 'stem sentences' to articulate their reasoning. They are prompted to think critically about conversions, such as partitioning 235 centimetres into metres and centimetres efficiently. The lesson also addresses common misconceptions, such as not starting measurements at the 0 mark on the ruler. The plenary involves a reflection on the learning process, with students identifying what they have learnt, the skills they used, and any challenges faced. Differentiated worksheets support independent learning, and the lesson structure accommodates varying levels of understanding, from working towards the expected level to achieving greater depth in matching equivalent measurements represented in increasingly complex manners.