In this Grade 6 Illustrative Mathematics lesson from Unit 3, students build intuition for standard units of measurement by anchoring units of length, volume, and weight or mass to familiar everyday objects, such as comparing 1 millimeter to the thickness of a dime or 1 liter to a reusable water bottle. Students practice sorting units by the attribute they measure and selecting the most appropriate unit for real-world objects ranging from a pencil to a hippopotamus. The lesson also introduces distinguishing between length, area, volume, and weight as distinct measurable attributes.
Section 1
Selecting Appropriate Units of Measurement
To select an appropriate unit of measurement, choose a unit that is on a similar scale to the object.
If an object's size is , and where is the numerical measurement and is the unit, the goal is to choose so that is a convenient, easy-to-understand number.
Section 2
Unit Size vs. Number of Units
For a fixed quantity, as the size of the measurement unit decreases, the number of units required to measure that quantity increases. The total value of the measurement remains constant.
Section 3
Application: Comparing Quantities with Different Units
To compare two lengths given in different units, you must first convert one or both lengths so they are expressed in the same unit.
Then, you can use the symbols , , or to compare their numerical values.
Section 4
Comparing Metric Masses
To compare masses with different units, convert one of the measurements so that both masses are in the same unit. Then, compare the values.
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Section 1
Selecting Appropriate Units of Measurement
To select an appropriate unit of measurement, choose a unit that is on a similar scale to the object.
If an object's size is , and where is the numerical measurement and is the unit, the goal is to choose so that is a convenient, easy-to-understand number.
Section 2
Unit Size vs. Number of Units
For a fixed quantity, as the size of the measurement unit decreases, the number of units required to measure that quantity increases. The total value of the measurement remains constant.
Section 3
Application: Comparing Quantities with Different Units
To compare two lengths given in different units, you must first convert one or both lengths so they are expressed in the same unit.
Then, you can use the symbols , , or to compare their numerical values.
Section 4
Comparing Metric Masses
To compare masses with different units, convert one of the measurements so that both masses are in the same unit. Then, compare the values.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter