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National Curriculum Resource Tool

Materials to support teachers and schools in embedding the National Curriculum

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Year 6 - Measurement

New Curriculum

  • solve problems involving the calculation and conversion of units of measure, using decimal notation up to three decimal places where appropriate
  • use, read, write and convert between standard units, converting measurements of length, mass, volume and time from a smaller unit of measure to a larger unit, and vice versa, using decimal notation to up to three decimal places
  • convert between miles and kilometres
  • recognise that shapes with the same areas can have different perimeters and vice versa
  • recognise when it is possible to use the formulae for area and volume of shapes
  • calculate the area of parallelograms and triangles
  • calculate, estimate and compare volume of cubes and cuboids using standard units, including cubic centimetres (cm3) and cubic metres (m3), and extending to other units [for example, mm3 and km3]

Non-Statutory Guidance

Pupils connect conversion (for example, from kilometres to miles) to a graphical representation as preparation for understanding linear/proportional graphs.

They know approximate conversions and are able to tell if an answer is sensible.

Using the number line, pupils use, add and subtract positive and negative integers for measures such as temperature.

They relate the area of rectangles to parallelograms and triangles, for example, by dissection, and calculate their areas, understanding and using the formulae (in words or symbols) to do this.

Pupils could be introduced to compound units for speed, such as miles per hour, and apply their knowledge in science or other subjects as appropriate.

Links and Resources

Connections within Mathematics

Within mathematics, pupils can connect the conversion of units of measurement (for example, from kilometres to miles) to a graphical representation as preparation for understanding linear/proportional graphs. They should know approximate conversions and should able to tell if an answer is sensible.

When focusing on measuring temperature, pupils should make use of the number line to add and subtract positive and negative integers

Making connections to this topic in adjacent year groups

Year 5

  • convert between different units of metric measure (for example, kilometre and metre; centimetre and metre; centimetre and millimetre; gram and kilogram; litre and millilitre)
  • understand and use approximate equivalences between metric units and common imperial units such as inches, pounds and pints
  • measure and calculate the perimeter of composite rectilinear shapes in centimetres and metres
  • calculate and compare the area of rectangles (including squares), and including using standard units, square centimetres (cm²) and square metres (m²) and estimate the area of irregular shapes
  • estimate volume [for example, using 1 cm³ blocks to build cuboids (including cubes)] and capacity [for example, using water]
  • solve problems involving converting between units of time
  • use all four operations to solve problems involving measure (for example, length, mass, volume, money) using decimal notation, including scaling.

Key Stage 3

  • derive and apply formulae to calculate and solve problems involving: perimeter and area of triangles, parallelograms, trapezia, volume of cuboids (including cubes) and other prisms (including cylinders)
  • calculate and solve problems involving: perimeters of 2-D shapes (including circles), areas of circles and composite shapes.

Cross-curricular and real life connections

In geography, children will learn of other countries around the world, their climate, landscape and traditions. Map work involves the use of scale, and conversion between measurements. Children could convert between pounds Sterling and currencies of these other countries, using formulae or straight line conversion graphs.

Calculations of area and perimeter are often used when decorating rooms (for carpet, paint, skirting board etc.) or a garden (circular/square pond area, lawn area, perimeter fencing etc)

Interactive Powerpoint presentations for any learner but with the visual learner specifically in mind.

This article for teachers recounts the history of measurement, encouraging it to be used as a spring board for cross-curricular activity.

This article for teachers suggests ways in which dinosaurs can be an engaging context for discussing measurement.

Programme of Study statements Activities
A B C D E
solve problems involving the calculation and conversion of units of measure, using decimal notation up to three decimal places where appropriate          
use, read, write and convert between standard units, converting measurements of length, mass, volume and time from a smaller unit of measure to a larger unit, and vice versa, using decimal notation to up to three decimal places          
convert between miles and kilometres          
recognise that shapes with the same areas can have different perimeters and vice versa          
recognise when it is possible to use formulae for area and volume of shapes          
calculate the area of parallelograms and triangles          
calculate, estimate and compare volume of cubes and cuboids using standard units, including cubic centimetres (cm³) and cubic metres (m³), and extending to other units [for example, mm³ and km³          

Activity A : Numerically Equal

Challenge the children to see if they can draw a square in which the perimeter is numerically equal to the area. What about other shapes?

Activity B: Weekly Problem 20 – 2011

Can you find the perimeter of this unusual shaped polygon?

Activity C : Through the window

The local DIY shop calculates the price of its windows according to the area of glass and the length of frame used. Can you work out how they arrived at these prices?

Activity D : Making boxes

Cut differently-sized square corners from a square piece of paper to make boxes without lids. Do they all have the same volume? How do we know?

Activity E : A little bit of history - Marco Polo

Compare historical journeys and convert units of measure whilst learning all about the well-known traveler, Marco Polo.

Useful Resources

Activity B : Images of polygons

Activity D : Pre-cut squares to support initial investigation

Squared paper for children to use to explore ideas

Examples of what children should be able to do, in relation to each (boxed) Programme of Study statement

solve problems involving the calculation and conversion of units of measure, using decimal notation up to three decimal places where appropriate
  • Children should be able to draw a flow chart to help someone else convert between mm, cm, m and km.
  • They should be able to answer questions such as: approximately how many litres are there in 3 gallons? Give your answer to the nearest litre.
use, read, write and convert between standard units, converting measurements of length, mass, volume and time from a smaller unit of measure to a larger unit, and vice versa, using decimal notation to up to three decimal places

This scale (not actual size) shows length measurements in centimetres and feet.

Scale with measurements in centimetres and feet

Look at the scale. Estimate the number of centimetres that are equal to 2 ½ feet.

Estimate the difference in centimetres between 50 cm and 1 foot.

convert between miles and kilometres
  • Pupils should know the approximate equivalence between commonly used imperial units and metric units:
    e.g. 1 litre is approximately 2 pints (more accurately, 1 ¾ pints)
    4.5 litres is approximately 1 gallon or 8 pints
    1 kilogram is approximately 2 lb (more accurately, 2.2 lb)
    30 grams is approximately 1 oz
    8 kilometres is approximately 5 miles
  • Children should be able to use conversion graphs that show miles/kilometres. They should be able to use it to estimate a distance of 95 miles in kilometres.
recognise that shapes with the same areas can have different perimeters and vice versa

The perimeter of a square is 72 centimetres.

Square

The square is cut in half to make two identical rectangles.

Rectangles

What is the perimeter of one rectangle?

recognise when it is possible to use formulae for area and volume of shapes

Children should be able to calculate the perimeters of compound shapes that can be split into rectangles. For example,

Diagram showing compound shape

calculate the area of parallelograms and triangles

This is a centimetre grid. Draw 3 more lines to make a parallelogram with an area of 10cm2. Use a ruler.

Centimeter grid showing one side of a parallelogram

This short video shows a how some children learned, through practical activity, about the need for standard units of measure, the bounds of intervals and accuracy of measurements.