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Solve problems by measuring different lengths in cm using a ruler

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can solve problems by using a ruler accurately to measure lengths in centimetres.

Key learning points

  1. When using a ruler always measure starting from zero cm.
  2. Measuring length can help you find out if something will fit inside a container or not.
  3. You can tell 'first, then, now' stories that involve length.

Keywords

  • Longer than - An object has more length than another.

  • Shorter than - An object has less length than another.

  • First - The 'first' part of a 'first, then, now' story represents an amount that was already there.

  • Then - The 'then' part of a 'first, then, now' story represents an amount that was added or subtracted.

  • Now - The 'now' part of a 'first, then, now' story represents the amount that there is at the end of the story.

Common misconception

Children may find it difficult to identify the 'then' part of the story because it is not found by measuring the length of the object.

Encourage children to make jumps with their finger on the ruler to demonstrate how many cm are between the 'first' length and the 'now' length.

Teacher tip

Look for opportunities for children to explore more 'first, then, now' and 'will it fit' problems in their everyday environment, such as measuring a lunchbox to see if a banana will fit inside, or growing their own plants in a science lesson and measuring how much they have grown each week.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
(Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Complete the sentence. The pen is _________ than the pencil.

An image in a quiz
shorter
Correct answer: longer

Q2.
How long is the pen?

An image in a quiz
0 cm
4 cm
Correct answer: 7 cm
15 cm

Q3.
The car is 10 cm long. True or False?

An image in a quiz
True
Correct answer: False

Q4.
Complete the sentence. The tower of bricks is cm tall.

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 12, twelve

Q5.
What mistake has Jun made?

An image in a quiz
He has the ruler upside down.
Correct answer: He did not start the pencil at 0 cm.
He needed to use a longer ruler.

Q6.
Jun thinks that both the robots are the same height. Is he correct?

An image in a quiz
Yes they are the same height.
Correct answer: No they are not the same height. One is shorter than the other.

6 Questions

Q1.
Jacob’s pencil case is 18 cm long. Which of these items will fit in Jacob’s pencil case?

Correct answer: a
Correct answer: b
c

Q2.
Which picture matches the story? First, the plant was 10 cm tall. Then, it grew 2 cm taller. Now, the plant is 12 cm tall.

a
Correct answer: b

Q3.
Order the steps of the story so that they match the picture.

An image in a quiz
1 - First, the plant was 7 cm tall.
2 - Then, it grew 2 cm taller.
3 - Now, the plant is 9 cm tall.

Q4.
What is the final part of the story? First my plant was 10 cm tall. Then it grew 2 cm taller.

An image in a quiz
Now, the plant is 11 cm tall.
Correct answer: Now, the plant is 12 cm tall.
Now, the plant is 13 cm tall.

Q5.
What number is missing from the story? Use the picture to help. First, I made a bracelet that was 10 cm long. Then I added a ___ cm bead. Now my bracelet is 13 cm long.

An image in a quiz
1
2
Correct answer: 3
4

Q6.
Complete the ‘First, then, now’ story using the picture. First the bracelet was 7 cm long. Then I added a 4 cm bead. Now the bracelet is ___ cm long.

An image in a quiz
5
Correct answer: 7
11

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