National curriculum content

• 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 
• Estimate volume and capacity
• Use all four operations to solve problems involving volume using decimal notation, including scaling

Lesson objectives

1. Cubic centimetres
2. Compare volume
3. Estimate volume
4. Estimate capacity

What we want children to know

• How to convert between different units of metric measure.
• Understand how to estimate volume.
• Understand how to estimate capacity.
• Understand which operation to use when solving problems involving measurements.

What skills we want children to develop

Use knowledge to solve reasoning and problem solving questions such as:

What is Volume?

My shape is made up of 10-centimeter cubes.

The height and length are the same size.

What could my shape look like?

Create your own shape and write some clues for a partner.

Compare Volume

Shape A has a height of 12cm. Shape B has a height of 4cm.

Tim says Shape A must have a greater volume.

Is he correct? Explain your answer.

Mathematical Talk

How is capacity different to volume?

What does volume mean?

Do we always have to count the cubes to find the volume?

Do you need to fill the whole box with cubes to estimate its volume?

Which unit measure would you use to estimate the volume of the classroom?