Fourth Grade: Module 2
DUVAL Math
Parent Tips
Unit Conversions and Problem Solving
with Metric Measurement
September 2015
In this Module, students use length, mass, and capacity in the metric system to
convert between units using place value knowledge. Students explore the patterns 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.
Words to Know
Fourth Grade,
Module 2
Special points
of interest:
 Word to Know
 Converting Units
 Strategies for
Adding and Subtracting Mixed
Units
Kilometer: km, a unit of measure for length
 Mathematical
Practices
Mass: the measure of the amount of matter in an object
 Want to help with
homework?
Milliliter: mL, a unit of measure for liquid volume
Mixed units: e.g., 3m 43 cm
Capacity: the maximum amount that something can contain
Questions?
Mrs. Beth Gonzalez
Director, Mathematics K-5
[email protected]
904-390-2990
Fourth Grade, Module 2
DUVAL Math Parent Tips
Page 2
Converting Units: Metric Unit Conversions
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
1 km = 1,000 m
2 km = 2,000 m
15 km = 15,000 m
24 km = 24,000 m
Weight/Mass
kg=kilograms
g=grams
1 kg = 1,000g
2 kg = 2,000g
15 kg = 15,000 g
24 kg = 24,000 g
Capacity
L=liters
mL=milliliters
1 L = 1,000 mL
2 L = 2,000 mL
15 L = 15,000 mL
24 L = 24,000 mL
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.
Example Problem
Example Problem
Liquid Capacity
Liquid Capacity
L
mL
L
mL
1
1,000
1
1,000
5
5
5,000
38
38
38,000
49,000
49
49,000
92,000
54
92
54,000
92,000
54
Fourth Grade, Module 2
DUVAL Math Parent Tips
Page 3
Strategies for Adding and Subtracting Mixed
Units
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?
Each module’s
Example Problem
and Answer
parent tip sheet will
Simplifying strategy: Jon had a cooler that had 32L 420mL of water in it. He emphighlight a new
tied a container with 13L 585mL of water into the cooler.
strategy or math
How much water
in the
cooler now?
modelisyour
student
will be working on.
Fourth Grade, Module 2
DUVAL Math Parent Tips
Page 4
Standards for Mathematical Practice
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.
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