Module 5 Measuring
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Can I estimate a quantity (mass, length or capacity) and choose the most sensible unit of measure and equipment to use?

Example review questions

  • Tell me an example of something you would measure in:
    • kilometres;
    • metres;
    • centimetres;
    • millimetres.
    In each case explain your choice.
  • What unit of measurement would you use for:
    • weighing a tomato? A large box of tomatoes?
    • measuring the amount of water in a teaspoon? A barrel?
  • Can you find me an object that has roughly:
    • a mass of 1 kg?
    • a length of 90 cm?
    • a capacity of 100 ml?

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 estimate a quantity (mass, length or capacity) and choose the most sensible unit of measure and equipment to use? - teaching guidance | 35KB new window

Consolidation and practice

Provide children with plenty of practical experience of choosing and then using suitable equipment to estimate and then measure mass, length and capacity.

An image of a mug.      An image of a needle and thread.      An image of a bowl of cookies.      An image of a pie with a rolling pin, apple and a berry alongside it.      A point of view image of someone looking down at their feet on top of weighing scales.      An image of a bucket.      An image of two cartons of milk.

Opportunities to use and apply

Possible contexts include:

  • cooking, e.g. Estimating the correct quantities for recipes.
  • shopping, e.g. Estimating the mass of fruit and vegetables and then weighing them.
  • PE lessons, e.g. Estimating a distance that has been jumped, or how far a beanbag has been thrown.

Confirming learning

Ask probing questions such as:

  • ‘A tall, narrow container must hold more than a short, wide one.’ Is this statement true? Can you provide examples to help you explain why?
  • Look at how much water is left in the jug. Estimate how many millilitres of water are left. Explain your thinking.

    A measuring jug containing just under one litre of fluid.
  • Provide a range of items (including some that are small and heavy and some that are large and light) and a 1-kg weight. Ask: ‘Can you order these from lightest to heaviest and estimate the weight of each item? Weigh the objects to see how accurate you were.’