Measurement Length and Perimeter - Kilometres - Planning

In a mathematics lesson tailored for Year 4 students, the concept of converting between kilometres and metres is introduced. The lesson begins with a starter activity that prompts students to recall their previous knowledge. The class teaching input focuses on the metric system, specifically the kilometre, which is a unit of length. Students learn that 'kilo' means 1,000, hence one kilometre is equivalent to 1,000 metres. The presentation aids in sparking a discussion about this conversion. Activities are designed to reinforce the understanding that distances in kilometres can be expressed in metres and vice versa, such as 3 km being equal to 3,000 m. The use of a bar model is suggested to visually represent these relationships and assist children in grasping the concept of halving a kilometre to represent it as 500 metres.

Further activities encourage students to delve deeper into the topic by using bar models to convert entire distances from kilometres to metres by multiplying by 1,000, and then applying addition and subtraction to find missing values. Comparison symbols are also introduced to compare different lengths. The lesson includes differentiated worksheets to cater to varying levels of understanding, from those working towards expected standards to those capable of greater depth, who will tackle decimal equivalents. Key questions stimulate curiosity about real-world applications, such as the distances of athletic races and the conversion of these measurements. The lesson concludes with a reflective 'Give me five' activity, where students consider what they have learned, the skills they have used, and any challenges they faced, ensuring that the relationship between metres and kilometres is well understood and remembered.