New
New
Estimate in metres and describe a metre in different ways
I can estimate lengths and heights in metres and describe a metre in different ways.
Lesson 1 of 10
New
New
- Year 3
Estimate in metres and describe a metre in different ways
I can estimate lengths and heights in metres and describe a metre in different ways.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The length or height of an object can be estimated using the standardised unit of metres.
- One hundred, 1 cm lengths are the same as 1 m.
- Ten, 10 cm lengths are the same as 100 cm, which is the same as 1 m.
Keywords
Estimate - An estimate is a given value, number or quantity that is near to the true amount.
Metre - A metre is a standardised unit of measurement. We can abbreviate metre to m.
Centimetre - A centimetre is a standardised unit of measurement. We can abbreviate centimetre to cm.
Common misconception
100 cm is bigger than 1 m.
1 m is equal in length or height to 100 cm. 100 cm make up 1 m. They are the same length or height.
Children need a concrete example of a metre and how long and tall 1 m is. Where possible, the suggested activities should be carried out practically.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Look at the picture. Which is taller, the elephant or the giraffe?
Look at the picture. Which is taller, the elephant or the giraffe?
elephant
Q2.Look at the picture. Which is longer, the blue ribbon or the yellow ribbon?
Look at the picture. Which is longer, the blue ribbon or the yellow ribbon?
yellow ribbon
Q3.Match the calculations to their answer.
Match the calculations to their answer.
Q4.How many tens are there in 60?
How many tens are there in 60?
Q5.How many tens are there in 100?
How many tens are there in 100?
Q6.Look at the picture. Which car has travelled the furthest?
Look at the picture. Which car has travelled the furthest?
The blue car.
The green car.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A given value, number or quantity that is near to the true amount is known as
A given value, number or quantity that is near to the true amount is known as
a metre
a centimetre
Q2.Which of these would you use metres to measure the height or length of?
Which of these would you use metres to measure the height or length of?
Length of a pen.
Height of a toy car.
Length of a banana.
Q3.How many centimetres are there in one metre?
How many centimetres are there in one metre?
1
10
Q4.I have a piece of ribbon that is 70 cm long. Is this ribbon shorter or longer than one metre?
I have a piece of ribbon that is 70 cm long. Is this ribbon shorter or longer than one metre?
Longer
Q5.How many 10 cm lengths will we get if we cut a 60 cm piece of ribbon up into 10 cm lengths?
How many 10 cm lengths will we get if we cut a 60 cm piece of ribbon up into 10 cm lengths?
Q6.A whole length of string has been cut into 3 equal pieces and each of those pieces is 10 cm. What length is the whole piece of string?
A whole length of string has been cut into 3 equal pieces and each of those pieces is 10 cm. What length is the whole piece of string?
