Measure length using centimetre cubes

I can measure length using centimetre cubes.

Download all resources

Share activities with pupils

New

Year 1

Measure length using centimetre cubes

I can measure length using centimetre cubes.

Download all resources

Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

View new resources

Slide deck

Download slide deck

Skip slide deck

Lesson details

Key learning points

Individual cm cubes can be used to measure objects.
The cm cubes should be lined up exactly with one end of the object with no gaps between them to measure accurately.
It is important to measure in a straight line.
The number of cubes tells you the length of the object.

Keywords

Centimetre - A measure of length (about the width of a fingernail).
Standard unit - Uniform units of of measure that are agreed throughout a community.
Accurate - To work in a careful way so that there are no mistakes.

Common misconception

Children may not use cubes accurately, for example leaving gaps between the objects. They may also miscount the cubes.

Encourage children to build a straight line of cubes with no gaps first, then place the object they want to measure along the line of cubes. Encourage them to touch each cube as they count.

This lesson uses centimetre cubes to introduce the concept of a standard unit of measure. Base 10 blocks are centimetre cubes. If you do not have any centimetre cubes for the children to use, you can create your own using the additional materials associated with this lesson.