Module 5 Measuring
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Can I solve problems involving the conversion of units?

Example review questions

  • Each episode of my favourite cartoon lasts 25 minutes. How many episodes can I record onto a 3-hour video tape?
  • A plum weighs 70 g. Is this equal to: 0.7 kg, 0.07 kg or 0.007 kg? Explain how you know.
  • How many 5 ml spoonfuls would fill a 20 cl cup?
  • A path is made up of eight square concrete tiles placed in a row. The side of each tile measures 70 cm. What is the perimeter of the path in metres?
    8 squares placed in a row.
  • I swim 1.5 km each morning – if the length of the pool is
    50 m, how many lengths do I swim?
  • Using a ruler that shows cm and inches, convert 3 1/2 inches into mm.

Teaching guidance

This teaching guidance document suggests some of the key vocabulary, models, images and practical equipment that children should experience and be able to use. It also includes some teaching tips to provide a few starting points for ways of supporting children with this area of mathematics.

PDF file Teaching guidance: Can I solve problems involving the conversion of units? | 165KB new window

Consolidation and practice

These resources are to support children in guided or independent work.

XLS file Converting measures spreadsheet | 49KB new window

PDF file Converting units of measure guidance | 221KB new window

XLS file Converting units of measure spreadsheet | 53KB new window

Visit the nrich website new window for further activities to support practice and application.

DOC file Loop cards capacity | 36KB new window

DOC file Loop cards length | 35KB new window

DOC file Loop cards mass | 16KB new window

Opportunities to use and apply

Possible contexts include:

  • Practical measuring activities, e.g. Find the approximate amount of water you use in a day.
  • Word problems, e.g. A rabbit eats 60 g of rabbit food a day. How long will a 1 kg bag of food last?
  • Ratio and proportion, e.g. Cheese costs £7.50 for 1 kg. How much does 200 g of cheese cost?
  • Data handling, e.g. This bar graph shows rainfall. What is the total rainfall in metres from May to August?
    Graph showing raining in millimetres from May to August.

PDF file 'Mathematical challenges' Year 5 and Year 6: | 1.2MB new window Cola in the bath; Millennium

Confirming learning

Ask probing questions such as:

  • What calculations would you do to find how many seconds there are in a day?
  • How much more liquid needs to be poured into this jug to make 3/4 litre?
    One litre measuring jug showing liquid up just below the five hundred millilitre line.
  • A calculator display shows 3.2851. This represents metres. What would the answer be rounded to the nearest cm? To the nearest mm?
  • 1 kg is approximately the same as 2.2 pounds. There are 16 ounces in a pound. Work out roughly how many ounces are equivalent to 1 kg.
  • Sam says there are 1000 square cm in a square m. Is he right?