Measurement of Mass
Lessons in this chapter
About Measurement of Mass
Measurement of Mass gives mass a full chapter for the first time, moving from 2nd grade’s single lesson to estimation, compound units and problem solving.
Understand Mass and Terms Associated With It establishes the vocabulary before any measuring: mass, heavier, lighter, balance, scale. Measure Mass in Kilograms and Measure Mass in Grams then handle each unit separately, with the relationship, 1000 grams in a kilogram, as the link.
Measure and Estimate Mass in Kilograms and Grams introduces compound measurements such as 2 kg 350 g, and estimation. Estimation is the practical skill here: a child who expects a textbook to be about a kilogram will notice an answer of 50 kg is wrong without checking anything.
Compare and Order Objects According to Their Masses requires converting to a common unit before comparing, which is the same rule as adding lengths. Solve Real World Problems involving Mass then applies the year's 4-digit arithmetic, which is why this chapter sits after the addition and subtraction work.
Measure Mass in Kilograms, Measure and Estimate Mass in Kilograms and Grams and Solve Real World Problems involving Mass each open as a worksheet in the page, marked as your child answers. Estimating gets a lesson of its own because a child who cannot guess a mass cannot tell when an answer is wrong. Six lessons, all free to practice online.
Frequently asked questions
What mass is and the words that go with it, measuring in kilograms, then in grams, then estimating in both, comparing and ordering objects by mass, and finally real world mass problems. It sits in Measurement and Data (3.MD), which is where the Common Core first asks for mass.
Grams and kilograms, with 1000 grams in a kilogram, including compound measurements like 2 kg 350 g.
Convert to a common unit first. 1 kg 200 g and 1,150 g cannot be compared until both are in grams, giving 1,200 g against 1,150 g.
Because it catches wrong answers. If a child expects a textbook to be about a kilogram, an answer of 50 kg is obviously wrong without any recalculation.
A paperclip is about a gram, an apple about 150 grams, a bag of sugar about a kilogram. Those anchors make estimation possible.
2nd grade had two lessons and just attached units. This one adds estimation, compound units, ordering, and problems that use 4-digit arithmetic.