NCERT Maths Mela, Class 5, textbook pages 57–69

How to teach Class 5 Maths Chapter 5, Far and Near, at home

Kilometres, metres, centimetres and millimetres, taught with things you already have at home: a 10-minute activity, a game for the week, a 5-day plan and the mistakes to watch for.

0 m0 cm1 m100 cm2 m200 cm3 m300 cm4 m400 cm5 m500 cm× 100

NCERT Class 5 Maths Chapter 5 Far and Near: what it teaches

Your child chooses the right unit for each length, converts between km, m, cm and mm using double number lines, and solves distance problems.

Why it matters later. Unit conversion is used in science, geography and all measurement from Class 6 onwards.

See it: this chapter in pictures

mcmkm
Pick the unit that fits the size.
05 mm1 cm1 cm = 10 mm
Millimetres are the small marks on a ruler.
5 m 40 cm= 500 cm + 40 cm= 540 cm
Convert the metres first, then add the centimetres.

You need

  • a 30 cm ruler with mm marks
  • a measuring tape
  • a map app or school-to-home distance

Tonight’s 10 minutes

  1. Pick units: height of a building, a pencil, a road trip, an ant. Which unit for each?
  2. Draw a double number line: 1 m = 100 cm, 2 m = 200 cm, 5 m 40 cm = 540 cm.
  3. Measure a coin and a nail in millimetres.
  4. Find the distance from home to school in km and convert it to metres.

Words to use

  • kilometre
  • metre
  • centimetre
  • millimetre
  • 1 km = 1000 m
  • 1 m = 100 cm
  • 1 cm = 10 mm

Watch for

  • Multiplying by 10 when it should be 100 (m to cm). Write the conversion fact on top of the page before starting.
  • Writing 5 m 4 cm as 54 cm. 5 m is 500 cm, plus 4 = 504 cm.

What it sounds like at home

A short example of the conversation. Your words will differ; the questions are what matter.

You5 m 40 cm in centimetres?

Your child5 m is 500 cm, plus 40.

YouSo?

Your child540 cm.

YouHow far is school in metres if it is 2 km?

Your child2000 m.

A game for this week: Unit match

  1. Write 10 objects on cards: ant, bus, road, pencil…
  2. Players pick a card and say the best unit and a guess.
  3. Check sensible guesses together.
  4. One point per sensible answer.

A 5-day plan, 10 minutes a day

  1. Day 1Choose the right unit.
  2. Day 2Double number lines for m and cm.
  3. Day 3Measure in mm.
  4. Day 4Home-to-school in km and m.
  5. Day 5Unit match game.

Everyday moments to practise

  • Road signs in km.
  • Cloth in metres.
  • Screws and nails in mm.
  • Height in cm.

Quick check

Ask these at the end of the week. Tap to see the answer.

How many metres in 3 km?

3000.

Convert 5 m 40 cm to cm.

540 cm.

How many mm in 7 cm?

70.

Ready for the next chapter when your child…

  • Chooses sensible units.
  • Converts km, m, cm and mm.
  • Solves simple distance problems.

Activities, wording and illustrations are Mathify Kids’ own, following the topics of NCERT’s Maths Mela (Class 5). See the full Class 5 parent guide for every chapter.

Questions parents ask

How many metres make a kilometre?

1000.

What is a double number line?

Two number lines side by side showing the same lengths in two units.

How many mm in a cm?

10.