Converting Units - Imperial Units - Planning

In the Year 5 summer curriculum, students are stepping into the world of imperial measurements as part of their learning on converting measurements. The focus of this particular lesson is to familiarise students with the concept of imperial units, such as inches for length, pounds for weight, and pints for volume, and their approximate equivalents to metric units. Through a series of engaging activities, students will be encouraged to discuss and explore these traditional units of measurement. They will use whiteboards, pens, worksheets, and a presentation to support their learning. The lesson starts with a recap of previous learning and a class discussion aimed at introducing imperial units and discussing their real-world applications. This foundational knowledge sets the stage for more complex conversion tasks.

The lesson is structured around three main activities, each designed to build understanding through practical application. In the first activity, students learn that one inch is roughly equivalent to 2.5 centimetres and then apply this knowledge to convert measurements in inches to centimetres using bar models. The second activity introduces the approximation that one kilogram is about two pounds, prompting students to use multiplication to convert kilograms to pounds. The final activity deals with volume, teaching that 568 millilitres make up one pint, and then challenges students to convert pints to millilitres and litres. Partner work is a key component of the lesson, allowing students to discuss their methods and learn collaboratively. The plenary session addresses key questions about the use of imperial measurements and the concept of approximation, while the independent tasks are differentiated to cater to varying levels of understanding, from those working towards expectations to those who are ready for greater depth challenges. Students are encouraged to reflect on what they've learned, the skills they've used, and to make a 'pinkie promise' to remember the key points from the lesson.