Mass and capacity - Compare mass - Starter

In a Year 3 mathematics session taking place in the summer term, students are faced with a variety of tasks aimed at enhancing their numerical fluency, understanding of mass, and ability to compare lengths. The starter activity, 'Fluent in Four - Revision', presents a numerical challenge where pupils must calculate the result of subtracting a combination of hundreds, tens, and ones from a given number, further applying their subtraction skills to solve problems involving larger numbers. Additionally, children are prompted to think about the types of equipment that could be used to measure mass, encouraging them to connect practical tools with mathematical concepts.

Another key aspect of the lesson involves completing bar models, a visual aid that helps students grasp the concept of addition and subtraction by representing numbers as lengths. This exercise not only reinforces their arithmetic skills but also subtly introduces them to the idea of comparing sizes, which is further explored in a practical context where the children are asked to arrange pencils in descending order based on their lengths. Mark's pencil is given in centimetres and millimetres, while Tom's and Jack's pencils are measured in millimetres, providing an opportunity for students to practice converting between units of measurement and to understand the relationship between them. This task not only tests their ability to compare and order lengths but also solidifies their understanding of the metric system.