Metric Mania: A Musical Journey Through Measurement!

Mathematics Grades 4th Grade 2:23 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's explore the metric system with a fun song and real-world examples! Learn to convert between millimeters, centimeters, meters, and kilometers.

Video Resource

Metric System Conversions Song | Measurement Song for Kids

Math Songs by NUMBEROCK

Duration: 2:23
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Metric System Units (millimeter, centimeter, meter, kilometer)
  • Conversion between metric units (10 mm = 1 cm, 100 cm = 1 m, 1000 m = 1 km)
  • Real-world application of metric measurements

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify and define millimeters, centimeters, meters, and kilometers.
  • Students will be able to convert between millimeters, centimeters, meters, and kilometers.
  • Students will be able to estimate the length of objects using appropriate metric units.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they already know about measurement. Discuss different units of measurement they may have encountered (inches, feet, etc.). Introduce the concept of the metric system as a different way to measure things.
  • Video Time! (5 mins)
    Play the "Metric System Conversions Song | Measurement Song for Kids" video. Encourage students to sing along and pay attention to the different units and conversions mentioned.
  • Discussion & Examples (10 mins)
    After the video, review the key metric units: millimeter (mm), centimeter (cm), meter (m), and kilometer (km). Use the video's examples (grain of sand, staple, guitar, city blocks) to help students visualize the size of each unit. Discuss the conversions: 10 mm = 1 cm, 100 cm = 1 m, 1000 m = 1 km. Use a whiteboard or projector to write down these conversions for easy reference.
  • Hands-on Measurement (15 mins)
    Divide students into small groups. Provide each group with rulers or meter sticks. Have them measure various objects in the classroom using centimeters and meters (e.g., the length of a pencil, the height of a desk, the width of the door). Encourage them to estimate first, then measure accurately. Convert measurements from centimeters to meters and vice versa. (For example, if an object is 150 cm long, it is 1.5 meters long.)
  • Kilometer Challenge (5 mins)
    Discuss kilometers and their use in measuring longer distances. Ask students to think of examples of distances that would be measured in kilometers (e.g., the distance between their house and the school, the distance to another city). Brainstorm how they could estimate a kilometer-long distance (e.g., using landmarks, counting steps).
  • Wrap-up & Review (5 mins)
    Quickly review the key concepts and conversions. Answer any remaining questions students may have. Preview the upcoming quiz to reinforce learning.

Interactive Exercises

  • Measurement Scavenger Hunt
    Hide index cards with metric measurements (e.g., 5 cm, 2 meters, 500 mm) around the classroom. Have students find the cards and then find an object that matches the measurement. For example, if a student finds '5 cm', they might find a paperclip.
  • Conversion Relay Race
    Divide students into teams. Write conversion problems on the board (e.g., 3 meters = ____ cm, 20 mm = ____ cm). Have one student from each team come up to the board, solve the problem, and then tag the next teammate. The first team to solve all the problems correctly wins.

Discussion Questions

  • What are some things you would measure in millimeters? Why?
  • When would you use kilometers to measure distance instead of meters?
  • Can you think of a time you've seen or used metric measurements in your everyday life?

Skills Developed

  • Measurement
  • Conversion
  • Estimation
  • Problem Solving

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

How many millimeters are in 1 centimeter?

Correct Answer: 10

Question 2:

How many centimeters are in 1 meter?

Correct Answer: 100

Question 3:

How many meters are in 1 kilometer?

Correct Answer: 1000

Question 4:

Which of these is the smallest unit of measurement?

Correct Answer: Millimeter

Question 5:

Which unit would you use to measure the length of a classroom?

Correct Answer: Meter

Question 6:

What is about the length of a guitar, according to the song?

Correct Answer: Meter

Question 7:

What is about the length of a staple?

Correct Answer: Centimeter

Question 8:

Which measurement is the longest?

Correct Answer: 1 km

Question 9:

According to the song, what is about the size of a grain of sand?

Correct Answer: Millimeter

Question 10:

How far would you walk in a kilometer?

Correct Answer: Twelve City Blocks

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A _______ is about the size of a grain of sand.

Correct Answer: millimeter

Question 2:

There are 100 _______ in 1 meter.

Correct Answer: centimeters

Question 3:

A _______ is used to measure long distances, like the distance between two cities.

Correct Answer: kilometer

Question 4:

10 millimeters is equal to 1 _________.

Correct Answer: centimeter

Question 5:

A _______ is about the distance from the door handle to the floor.

Correct Answer: meter

Question 6:

1000 meters is equal to 1 _______.

Correct Answer: kilometer

Question 7:

A staple is about a _________ wide.

Correct Answer: centimeter

Question 8:

We use _______ to measure things.

Correct Answer: metric

Question 9:

The metric system is the same for grams and _________.

Correct Answer: liters

Question 10:

It takes about 10 _______ fields in a row to reach a kilometer

Correct Answer: soccer

Educational Standards

4.GM.2.6:Recognize and use the relationship between millimeters, centimeters, and meters to measure and compare objects. 4.N.1.3:Applying knowledge of place value, use mental strategies (no written computations) to multiply or divide a number by 10, 100, and 1,000. 4.GM.2.7:Determine and justify the best use of customary and metric measurements in a variety of situations (liquid volumes, mass vs. weight, temperatures above 0 degrees, and length).

Teaching Materials

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