Mathematics / Year 4 / Measurement and Geometry / Using units of measurement

Curriculum content descriptions

Use scaled instruments to measure and compare lengths, masses, capacities and temperatures (ACMMG084)

Elaborations
  • reading and interpreting the graduated scales on a range of measuring instruments to the nearest graduation
General capabilities
  • Numeracy Numeracy
ScOT terms

Volume (Dimensions),  Measuring instruments,  Length,  Mass,  Temperature

Interactive

Sites2See – measurement for primary

Selected links to a range of interactive and print resources for Measurement topics in K-6 Mathematics.

Video

Mixed Up Maths, Ep 2: High rise living

Who is tall that you know? For a person, what height would you say is tall? In this clip we see what it means to measure the length of something compared to measuring the height of something. Find out the height of the tallest person in the world, measured in centimetres. Compare that to your own height. You'll be amazed ...

Video

MathXplosion, Ep 31: Heavy vs big

How would you measure and compare the weight of something? Learn why big things aren't necessarily heavy. All you need is something heavy and a lot of something light and you’ll be able to prove that weight is not the same as size.

Text

How Full Is a Bucket? - Calculate

This team-based game challenges students to use metric units of volume and to make capacity estimates for various containers.

Downloadable

First steps in mathematics: Measurement – Book 2

A guide to teaching about measurement including indirect measuring, and estimating.

Video

Decimal fractions video

Use this video to explore decimal fractions, how they are represented and how we use them in day-to-day contexts.

Text

Investigating Measurement (Year 3 & 4) - Calculate

The focus of this activity is to find out what students know and understand about length and the metric system.

Video

Mixed Up Maths, Ep 1: Monumental measurement mess ups

Did you know that in Australia we use a metric system for measurement? See if you know the units of measurement for length, mass and volume. Find out what system the United States uses. You guessed it - they don't use the metric system! See how a mix up of these units can cause all kinds of mess ups.

Video

For the Juniors: Measure ingredients to make a cake

Sarah is following a recipe. There are some different units of measure used in the recipe. Watch the video to see what these measurement words are. How much of each ingredient is needed? How are the ingredients combined to make the cake?

Downloadable

Measurement: Foundation to Year 9

This comprehensive resource describes the progression of measurement ideas. The resource demonstrates examples of relevant teaching strategies, investigations, activity plans and connected concepts in measurement including teaching and cultural implications.

Downloadable

First steps in mathematics: Measurement – Book 1

The content of this book is organised into topics including understanding units, and direct measuring.

Downloadable

Broken ruler

This task can be used to reveal whether students can use markings on a ruler to measure in centimetres and whether they understand how the number on the scale relates to the units.

Video

Exploring mysterious shapes

Join QuanQuan and Jenny as they explore some weird and wonderful shapes! While watching this clip, think about the sides, edges, surfaces and volumes of the shapes that are demonstrated. How are these shapes different from regular 2D and 3D forms?

Interactive

Time tools: 24-hour to the minute: time challenge

Use this tool to match clock times to the time presented on a Master clock. This learning object is one in a series of twelve learning objects.

Online

TIMES Module 3: Measurement and Geometry: time - teacher guide

This is a 20-page guide for teachers containing an introduction to the units of time and how to measure time. Time between events, time lines and timetables are considered. A brief history of the development of these concepts concludes the module.

Interactive

Introduction to polygons

Try this tutorial to test your knowledge of polygons (straight-sided shapes).

Text

Inquiry Prompt Ribbon Bow - Calculate

This open-ended task challenges students to carry out a mathematical investigation using a ribbon-bow as a stimulus. They are encouraged to develop their own research questions and investigate possible solutions using using mathematical problem solving and modelling strategies.

Video

Area and perimeter video

Use this video to connect area and perimeter to real world applications to set the context for why we are learning about area and perimeter.

Text

Time Year 3 & 4 - Calculate

This lesson focuses on different ways to tell time.

Online

MoneySmart: The house of needs and wants

This is a unit of work integrating aspects of the mathematics, English and science curriculums around planning a school breakfast. The unit was written for year 3 and is intended to take about 12 hours. It consists of 11 student activities supported by teacher notes on curriculum, pedagogy and assessment. Student activities ...