In this Module, students use length, mass, and capacity in the metric system to

convert between units using place value knowledge. Students explore the pat-

terns in the place value system through metric unit conversions, and will use

mixed unit conversions to prepare for fraction and decimal operations to come.

Before This Module: Students deepened their understanding of the patterns

in the place value system by working with numbers up to one million.

What Comes After This Module: In Module 3, students start with applying

multiplication and division to contexts such as area and perimeter to set the stage

for multiplication and division of multi-digit numbers.

Unit Conversions and Problem Solving

with Metric Measurement

Words to Know

Fourth Grade: Module 2

September 2015

Fourth Grade,

Module 2

DUVAL Math

Parent Tips

Special points

of interest:

Word to Know

Converting Units

Strategies for

Adding and Sub-

tracting Mixed

Units

Mathematical

Practices

Want to help with

homework?

Kilometer: km, a unit of measure for length

Mass: the measure of the amount of matter in an object

Milliliter: mL, a unit of measure for liquid volume

Mixed units: e.g., 3m 43 cm

Capacity: the maximum amount that something can contain

Mrs. Beth Gonzalez

Director, Mathematics K-5

gonzalezb1@duvalschools.org

904-390-2990

Questions?

Fourth Grade, Module 2 DUVAL Math Parent Tips Page 2

Conversions between the units are recorded in a two-column table. Recording the

unit conversions in a table allows students to see the ease of converting from a

smaller unit to a larger unit.

Students review place value concepts while building fluency to decompose or convert

from larger to smaller units. They learn 1 meter (m) is equal to 100 centimeters (cm)

just as 1 hundred is equal to 100 ones. The table below continues this thinking.

Length

km=kilometers

m=meters

Weight/Mass

kg=kilograms

g=grams

Capacity

L=liters

mL=milliliters

1 km = 1,000 m 1 kg = 1,000g 1 L = 1,000 mL

2 km = 2,000 m 2 kg = 2,000g 2 L = 2,000 mL

15 km = 15,000 m 15 kg = 15,000 g 15 L = 15,000 mL

24 km = 24,000 m 24 kg = 24,000 g 24 L = 24,000 mL

Converting Units: Metric Unit Conversions

Example Problem

Liquid Capacity

L mL

1 1,000

5 5,000

38 38,000

49 49,000

54 54,000

92 92,000

Example Problem

Liquid Capacity

L mL

1 1,000

5

38

49,000

54

92,000

Fourth Grade, Module 2 DUVAL Math Parent Tips

Page 3

Strategies for Adding and Subtracting Mixed

Units

Each module’s parent tip sheet will highlight a new strategy or math model your student will be working on.

Example Problem and Answer

Simplifying strategy: Jon had a cooler that had 32L 420mL of water in it. He emp-

tied a container with 13L 585mL of water into the cooler.

How much water is in the cooler now?

Example Problem and Answer In the following example, the student will use an algorithm strategy and decompose or convert the kilograms to grams before solving. Together, a squirrel and a beaver weigh 6 kg 230 g. If the squirrel weighs 1 kg 255 g, how much does the beaver weigh?

Mathematical Practices Addressed in this Module:

MP.1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Students use place value knowledge to convert larger units to smaller units before adding and subtracting. They fluently add and subtract metric units of length, weight, and capacity using the standard algorithm. Tape diagrams and number lines help students conceptualize a problem before it is solved and are used to assess the reasonableness of an answer. MP.7 Look for and make use of structure. Students use knowledge of place value and mixed units to find patterns when converting from a larger unit to a smaller unit. They recognize that 1 thousand equals 1,000 ones and relate that to 1 kilometer equals 1,000 meters. Using this pattern, they might extend thinking to convert smaller to larger units when making a conversion chart. MP. 8 Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. Students find that metric unit conversions share a relationship on the place value chart. For example, 1,000 ones equals 1 thousand, 1,000 g equals 1 kg, 1,000 mL equals 1 L, and 1,000 m equals 1 km. Knowing and using these conversions and similarities allows for quick and easy conversion and calculation.

Fourth Grade, Module 2 DUVAL Math Parent Tips Page 4

Want to help with homework?

A great resource can be found following the link below:

http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/ENY_Hmwk_Intro_math

Standards for Mathematical Practice