Primary Standards:
MAFS.5.MD.1.1: Convert among different-sized standard measurements and use these conversions in solving multi-step, real world problems.
Content Knowledge:
Students come to 5th grade with experience converting from larger to smaller units (e.g. meters to centimeters.) In this Unit, students will extend this skill to convert from larger to smaller unit or from smaller to larger units within the same system of measure.
The metric system aligns to ideas about place value. In this system, each unit can be bundled in tens to make 1 of the next larger unit. Thus each unit is 1/10 of the next greater unit, or 10 times larger than the next smaller unit. Converting between units in the metric system is grounded in an understanding of the relationship between units. An understanding of prefixes help students see this relationship; deci – tenth, centi – hundredth, milli – thousandth, kilo – thousand.
Constructing data/conversion tables can support students in organizing problem data and assist them in their conversions. Using tables to organize the data and then make conversions can be a helpful way for students to visualize the process and begin to see the ratio/relationship between units. This also offers an opportunity for students to apply what they know about multiplication, while seeding ideas about ratio and proportion to be explored in later grades.
Posing problems related to volume, mass, and linear measurement provides opportunities for students to practice their problem solving skills while giving repeated exposure to measurement concepts.
Learning Goal: As a mathematician, I will be able to convert multiple different-sized units within the same customary system (i.e. yards to feet to inches)
- Step 1: Convert larger units to smaller units within the same customary system
- Step 2: Convert smaller units to larger units within the same customary system
- Step 3: Convert multiple different-sized units within the same customary system
Learning Goal: As a mathematician, I will be able to convert multiple different-sized units within the same metric system (i.e. kilometers to meters to centimeters)
- Step 1: Convert larger units to smaller units within the same metric system
- Step 2: Convert smaller units to larger units within the same metric system
- Step 3: Convert multiple different-sized units within the same metric system
Learning Goal: As a mathematician, I will be able to solve multi-step word problems involving conversions
