Standard

Know relative sizes of measurement units within one system of units including km, m, cm; kg, g; lb, oz.; l, ml; hr, min, sec. Within a single system of measurement, express measurements in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit. Record measurement equivalents in a two-column table. For example, know that 1 ft is 12 times as long as 1 in. Express the length of a 4 ft snake as 48 in. Generate a conversion table for feet and inches listing the number pairs (1, 12), (2, 24), (3, 36), ...

Explanation

About the Math, Learning Targets, & Rigor

The units of measure that have not been addressed in prior years are pounds, ounces, kilometers, milliliters, and seconds. Students’ prior experiences were limited to measuring length, mass, liquid volume, and elapsed time. Students did not convert measurements. Students need ample opportunities to become familiar with these new units of measure.

Students may use a two-column chart to convert from larger to smaller units and record equivalent measurements. They make statements such as, if one foot is 12 inches, then 3 feet has to be 36 inches because there are 3 groups of 12.

In order for students to have a better understanding of the relationships between units, they need to use measuring devices in class. They need to discover that there are 12 inches in 1 foot and 3 feet in 1 yard. Allow students to use rulers or a yardstick to discover these relationships among these units of measurements. Using 12-inch rulers and yardstick, students can see that three of the 12-inch rulers, is the same as 3 feet since each ruler is 1 foot in length, are equivalent to one yardstick. Have students record the relationships in a two column table or t-charts.

Resources

Videos

• Khan Academy (scroll to find 4.MD.1 - click on a skill)
  • Videos (on left side in each skill)
• Learn Zillion
  • Videos
• Virtual Nerd

EngageNY Lessons

• Module 2, Topic A, Lesson 1: Express metric length measurements in terms of a smaller unit; model and solve addition and subtraction word problems involving metric length.
• Module 2, Topic A, Lesson 2: Express metric mass measurements in terms of a smaller unit; model and solve addition and subtraction word problems involving metric mass.
• Module 2, Topic A, Lesson 3: Express metric capacity measurements in terms of a smaller unit; model and solve addition and subtraction word problems involving metric capacity.
• Module 7, Topic A, Lesson 1: Create conversion tables for length, weight, and capacity units using measurement tools, and use the tables to solve problems.
• Module 7, Topic A, Lesson 2: Create conversion tables for length, weight, and capacity units using measurement tools, and use the tables to solve problems.
• Module 7, Topic A, Lesson 3: Create conversion tables for units of time, and use the tables to solve problems.
• Module 7, Topic C, Lesson 12: Use measurement tools to convert mixed number measurements to smaller units.
• Module 7, Topic C, Lesson 13: Use measurement tools to convert mixed number measurements to smaller units.

Extra Practice

• North Carolina Tasks
• Illustrative Math Tasks
• Howard County Tasks
  • Click on 4th grade at bottom, then 4.MD.1
• Common Core Sheets

Released Assessment Questions

PARCC

4.MD.1

Know relative sizes of measurement units within one system of units including km, m, cm; kg, g; lb, oz.; l, ml; hr, min, sec. Within a single system of measurement, express measurements in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit. Record measurement equivalents in a two- column table. For example, know that 1 ft is 12 times as long as 1 in. Express the length of a 4 ft snake as 48 in. Generate a conversion table for feet and inches listing the number pairs (1, 12), (2, 24), (3, 36), ...

Performance Indicators: 4.MD.1

Level 5: Exceeds Expectations

• Solves measurement word problems involving whole numbers which include calculation of area and perimeter – including those in which side lengths are missing – using all four operations.
• Solves measurement word problems which include calculation of area and perimeter – including those in which side lengths are missing – using addition, subtraction, and multiplication of simple fractions.
• Records measurement equivalents in a two-column table.
• Uses knowledge of measurement units within one system to solve word problems, real-world problems, and mathematical problems involving converting from larger units to smaller units.
• Represents measurement quantities using diagrams such as number line diagrams that require students to provide the appropriate measurement scale given the context.

Level 4: Meets Expectations

• Solves measurement word problems involving whole numbers which include calculation of area and perimeter – when information about side lengths is provided – using all four operations.
• Solves measurement word problems which include calculation of area and perimeter – when information about side lengths is provided – using addition, subtraction, and multiplication of simple fractions.
• Records measurement equivalents in a two-column table.
• Uses knowledge of measurement units within one system to solve word problems, real-world problems and mathematical problems involving converting from larger units to smaller units.
• Represents measurement quantities using diagrams such as number line diagrams that feature a measurement scale.

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