Overcoming barriers in mathematics

Example review questions

What does each division on this scale stand for?
How heavy is Peter?
Explain to me how I could find out how long the blue line is.
Find something in the classroom that you think weighs more than 1kg. Now use some weighing scales to see if you are right.

How long is this red line that I've drawn for you, e.g. 2cm?
Use a ruler to find something in the classroom that is longer than 15cm.
The parcels on these scales weigh 7kg. The pointer is missing. Show me where it should be.

Teaching guidance

This teaching guidance document suggests some of the key vocabulary, models, images and practical equipment that children should experience and be able to use. It also includes some teaching tips to provide a few starting points for ways of supporting children with this area of mathematics.

PDF file Can I read a scale to find how long or heavy something is? - teaching guidance | 57KB new window

Consolidation and practice

These resources are to support children in guided or independent work.

SWF file Ruler ITP | 29KB new window

SWF file Measuring scales ITP | 68KB new window

SWF file Measuring cylinder ITP | 50KB new window

PDF file ITP Guide | 4317KB new window

Opportunities to use and apply

Possible contexts include:

Word problems, e.g. four weeks ago, the baby weighed 4kg; she is now ½kg heavier. Show me where the pointer would be on this scale.
Estimation, e.g. draw a straight line that you think is 10cm long. Now measure it. How accurate were you? Can you now draw a line that you think is 12cm long?

Capacity, e.g. extend reading scales in weight and length to capacity.
Problem solving, e.g. how could you mark out 2 metres if you only have a one metre stick? Here is a strip of card that is 10cm long. How could you use this to help you find a book that is about 20cm long?
How long do you think this line is?
How could you measure it?

Confirming learning

Ask probing questions such as:

Show me where the pointer would be if the weight of the parcels is a bit more than 4kg. Now show me nearly 1kg.
On a metre stick, what length is shown by the mark halfway between 20cm and 30cm?

Ashley is measuring the length of this yellow rectangle. Can you explain why he will not measure it accurately?
This scale shows the weight of a letter. How much does the letter weigh? How do you know?

Overcoming barriers in mathematics –

helping children move from level 1 to level 2

Example review questions

Teaching guidance

Consolidation and practice

Opportunities to use and apply

Confirming learning