Measurement Length and Perimeter - Equivalent Lengths – m & cm - Planning

The curriculum for Year 3 students during the Spring term includes a focus on measurement, specifically understanding and calculating the length and perimeter. The objective is for students to measure and calculate the perimeter of rectilinear shapes, including squares, in both centimetres and metres. Additionally, they are taught to convert between different units of measurement, such as from kilometres to metres. Key vocabulary terms such as length, kilometre, metre, perimeter, and conversion are introduced and reinforced. Practical resources like worksheets, presentations, metre rules, trundle wheels, and measuring tapes are utilized to aid learning. Students start by recapping their knowledge that 100 centimetres is equivalent to 1 metre and then apply this to convert other multiples of 100 centimetres into metres, and vice versa. Activities include identifying missing measurements on a metre rule, labelling measurements, and working with partners to match equivalent measurements. The lesson aims to build fluency in converting between metres and centimetres using practical examples and visual aids.

Throughout the lesson, children are engaged in various activities that encourage the understanding of equivalence and conversion between metres and centimetres. They are prompted to ask questions, explore measurements, and use stem sentences to articulate their thought processes. For example, they might say, "If I know there are 100cm in a metre, then I know…" to explain their reasoning. Independent work on differentiated worksheets allows students to practice their new skills, with key questions guiding them to further understand the concepts of partitioning and converting measurements. The lesson also addresses common misconceptions, such as not starting measurements at the zero mark on rulers. To conclude, students reflect on what they've learned, the skills they used, and what they found challenging, ensuring they remember to convert measurements between metres and centimetres accurately. The lesson is structured to cater to different levels of understanding, from working towards the expected level to achieving greater depth in measurement conversions.