Math Project-Based Learning: Measurement Conversions | 4th Grade

This 5-day project-based math resource applies math concepts in a real-world scenario to teach students about converting measurements. In this 5-day unit, students will use their knowledge of measurement conversions to open a lemonade stand. This math project is engaging and authentic. Plus, it’s available as both a digital and print resource.

This project-based math resource is aligned with the following 4th Grade Math Common Core State Standards:

Solve problems involving measurement and conversion of measurements.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.MD.A.1

• Know relative sizes of measurement units within one system of units including km, m, cm; kg, g; lb, oz.; l, ml; hr, min, sec.
• Within a single system of measurement, express measurements in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit.
• Record measurement equivalents in a two-column table. For example, know that 1 ft is 12 times as long as 1 in. Express the length of a 4 ft snake as 48 in.
• Generate a conversion table for feet and inches listing the number pairs (1, 12), (2, 24), (3, 36), …

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.MD.A.2

• Use the four operations to solve word problems involving distances, intervals of time, liquid volumes, masses of objects, and money, including problems involving simple fractions or decimals, and problems that require expressing measurements given in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit.
• Represent measurement quantities using diagrams such as number line diagrams that feature a measurement scale.

This resource is available in both Printable & Digital Google Slides versions.

What’s included in this resource:

• Background Knowledge: Using a circle map, students will build background knowledge around opening a lemonade stand.
• Types of Measurements: Students will learn about different ways to measure and the tools used to measure..
• Measuring Capacity: Using the included instructional pages, students will learn about the customary and metric units of capacity and how to convert from a larger measurement to a smaller measurement.
• Lemonade Recipe: Using the learned concepts, students will choose how many gallons and cups of lemonade to make.
• Measuring Weight: Using the included instructional pages, students will learn about the customary and metric units of weight and how to convert from a larger measurement to a smaller measurement.
• Weighing Lemons and Sugar: Using the learned concepts, students will make an equivalent weight table and determine how many lemons and bags of sugar to buy.
• Measuring Length: Using the included instructional pages, students will learn about the customary and metric units of length and how to convert from a larger measurement to a smaller measurement.
• Building Plan: Using the learned concepts, students will use measurement conversion to make a plan to buy wood to build a lemonade stand.
• Plan Signage: Using the learned concepts, students will use measurement conversion to plan where to place flyers in the neighborhood.
• Measuring Time: Using the included instructional pages, students will learn about the units of time and how to convert from a larger measurement to a smaller measurement.
• Lemonade Stand Schedule: Using the learned concepts, students will make a plan to staff the lemonade stand for a week.
• Advertise: Students will create a flyer to advertise the lemonade stand to the community.
• Wrap Up: Students will write up a review of their lemonade stand decisions.

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