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

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.

Online

reSolve: Measurement - Parcel in the Post

This lesson challenges students to find the most cost-efficient way to package a variety of items to send in the post. Students are provided with a matrix of parcel postage charges and a variety of different possible parcels. They categorise the parcels, measure their dimensions and weights and then calculate the postage ...

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?

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.

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 ...

Downloadable

First steps in mathematics: Measurement – Book 1

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

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.

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 2

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

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.

Online

Metric units and using instruments: Year 4 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 4 is for the topic of Metric units and using instruments. Students develop understanding and use of metric units to measure, order and compare objects according to length, mass and capacity. Introduce students to measuring 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 7: Daredevil geometry

What does a daredevil jumps rider need to know about geometry? Find out as we discover angles for take off and for landing. But before we do that sit down for some angles basics! A good place to start is angles of turn through a circle from a 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, all the way to one full turn. See how many each represents as an angle.

Interactive

Finding the area of compound shapes

Find the area of compound shapes based on rectangles on a grid. Explore how the formula works for finding a rectangle's area. First, estimate the area of a compound shape based on rectangles on a grid. Second, work out the correct formula for finding area by placing rows and columns of squares inside two rectangles. Then, ...

Online

reSolve: Authentic Problems: Expanded Square

This sequence of four lessons explores concepts around informal area and symmetry. Students design an 'expanded square' where approximately half the area of the original square is flipped to the outside. The lessons provide opportunities for students to devise and use methods to informally measure area, record their mathematical ...

Interactive

Area explorer

This is an interactive resource about calculating the area of a shape presented on a grid. Students are presented with a random figure and are required to calculate its area, in square units. Immediate feedback is provided and the student can make repeated attempts if a question is not answered correctly. The additional ...

Text

Sizing Them Up

This resource is a web page containing a short task to explore area of irregular shapes by informal means. Arrange irregular shapes in size order smallest to largest. This resource is an activity from the NRICH website.

Video

For the Juniors: Drawing a floor plan

How do we know what a house will look like before it is built? Discover how house plans work by looking at the design of a house that Hugo's family is going to build. See how a floor plan shows the room layout. See drawings of what the house will look like from different views.

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.