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 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

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?

Interactive

Sites2See – measurement for primary

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

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 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 ...

Downloadable

First steps in mathematics: Measurement – Book 1

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

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Our new playground

This set of learning activities encourages students to consider the function of their existing school playground, how movements like sliding, swinging and spinning feature in playground equipment, and design a new piece of equipment to add to the excitement of their playground. The module includes a comprehensive teacher ...

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Living things on the farm

In this resource, students learn about the features of living organisms. They explore the idea that that living things are grouped into categories according to their observable features and relate this to livestock on farms. This lesson is part of a sequence of lessons that can be used with this age-group of students. Topics ...

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Life on the farm

This resource is a cross curriculum unit, focused on Design and Technologies, Science, and many other areas of the curriculum. Sustainability as a cross-curriculum priority is also emphasised. Topics include Living things on the farm; Life cycles on the farm; Depending on each other; Livestock on the farm; Modelling changes ...

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What needs to be measured determines the unit of measurement: Multi-age 3–6 Year A – Unit 14

This multi-age unit develops the big idea that what needs to be measured determines the unit of measurement.

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Measuring sticks: Decimals

In this lesson, students learn about place value and how it extends beyond whole numbers. They use drinking straws to model decimals.

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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.

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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.

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Balance

This activity invites students to explore the phenomena of balance and investigate the question, 'Can you find at least three different ways of balancing three identical weights on a balance board?' Students work with a simple balance (e.g., a ruler as the balance board, a toilet-paper-tube fulcrum, and coins as weights), ...

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.

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.

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.

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.