ChalkHour

Year 5 Maths: Roman numerals lesson pack

A complete, ready-to-teach KS2 lesson on roman numerals. Below is a real sample of what ChalkHour makes: the full pack adds three levels of worksheet, model answers, a teaching explainer and print-ready PDF and Word files.

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Real sample

Roman Numerals to 1,000 (M)

This lesson introduces Year 5 students to the Roman numeral system, extending their knowledge from Year 4 to include numbers up to 1,000 (M) and reading years. Students will learn the seven basic symbols and the rules for combining them.

Learning objectives

  • Identify and describe the symbols used in the Roman numeral system up to 1,000 (M).
  • Convert whole numbers up to 1,000 into Roman numerals.
  • Read and decode Roman numerals representing years and dates.
  • Apply the additive and subtractive principles to solve Roman numeral problems.

Lesson plan (60 minutes)

  1. Introduction · 5 min

    Hook: Display images of clock faces and building dates (e.g., MDCCCXC). Ask students what they notice.

  2. Teaching · 15 min

    Direct Instruction: Introduce the 7 symbols (I, V, X, L, C, D, M) and the rules of addition and subtraction.

  3. Guided Practice · 10 min

    Guided Practice: Converting numbers up to 100 on whiteboards. Check for 'subtraction rule' errors.

  4. Independent Practice · 20 min

    Independent Activity: Differentiated worksheets (Support, Core, Stretch).

  5. Plenary · 10 min

    Plenary: 'Roman Numeral Bingo' or Quiz. Recap the year 2024 in numerals.

Key vocabulary

Roman Numerals
A system of writing numbers using letters of the Latin alphabet.
Additive Principle
Adding a smaller numeral to a larger one that comes before it (e.g., XI = 11).
Subtractive Principle
Subtracting a smaller numeral from a larger one that comes after it (e.g., IX = 9).
Hindu-Arabic Numerals
The standard 0-9 digits we use today (e.g., 1, 2, 3).
Numeral
A symbol that stands for a number.

Core worksheet (first questions)

  1. Convert LXXXII to digits.
  2. Convert XLIV to digits.
  3. Convert XCV to digits.
  4. Write 126 in Roman numerals.

Quiz (sample)

  1. 1. What does the symbol 'D' represent?

    • A. 50
    • B. 100
    • C. 500
    • D. 1000

  2. 2. What value is represented by XC?

    • A. 110
    • B. 90
    • C. 80
    • D. 100

  3. 3. How do you write 400 in Roman numerals?

    • A. CCCC
    • B. DC
    • C. CD
    • D. DM

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