Bridges in Mathematics Grade 3, Unit 4: Measurement & Fractions
In this unit, your child measures time, weight, and liquid, and meets fractions as numbers. They read clocks to the minute, weigh things in grams and kilograms, and fill containers by the liter. They also learn what a fraction like 3/4 means and where it sits on a number line. Next, multiplication returns, joined by area.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 4?
- Reading 3/4 as 3 parts of size 1/4, where the denominator, the bottom number, tells how many equal parts make the whole. Learn more: What a fraction like 3/4 means
- Placing fractions like 1/4, 2/4, and 3/4 on a number line by splitting the space from 0 to 1 into equal parts. Learn more: Fractions on a number line
- Telling time to the exact minute and working out how long something lasts, like the 25 minutes from 3:45 to 4:10. Learn more about telling time to the minute: Telling time to the minute · Learn more about working out how many minutes have passed
- Weighing things in grams and kilograms, units of mass, and measuring liquid in liters, then solving simple problems with them. Learn more: Weighing things and measuring liquids
Sample questions to try together
These are real questions from our practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
Tariq is painting this paper strip blue for a class banner. So far he has painted the blue parts. What fraction of the strip does he still need to paint?
- 5/3
- 3/8
- 5/8
How you can help
- Fold a napkin into 4 equal parts, color or mark 3 of them, and name it 3/4. Fold another into 8 parts and compare one eighth with one fourth side by side.
- Read the clock at breakfast to the exact minute, then ask how long until you leave, such as from 7:42 to 8:00, which is 18 minutes.
- Look at food labels together, such as a 500-gram bag of pasta, and ask how many grams two bags would hold (1,000 grams, which is 1 kilogram).
Where kids can get stuck
- Thinking 1/8 is bigger than 1/4 because 8 is bigger than 4.
- Reading the hour hand as the next number when it is close to it, so 2:55 becomes 3:55.
- Adding time as if an hour had 100 minutes, so 3:45 plus 25 minutes becomes 3:70.
Practice makes perfect
Bobby's Math Club has practice problems that adapt to your child’s level, each with a detailed explanation and an easy-to-follow video, so your child can build confidence in these skills one step at a time.
Words your child will hear
- fraction
- A number that names equal parts of a whole.
- numerator
- The top number of a fraction; it tells how many equal parts we have.
- denominator
- The bottom number of a fraction; it tells how many equal parts make the whole.
- number line
- A line with numbers placed in order at equal spaces.
- elapsed time
- How much time passes from the start to the end of something.
- gram
- A small unit of mass; a paper clip is about 1 gram.
- kilogram
- A unit of mass equal to 1,000 grams; a big dictionary is about 1 kilogram.
- liter
- A unit of liquid volume; a large water bottle holds about 1 liter.
Want to help your child master fractions and measurement?
In Bobby's Math Club, your child practices these skills at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free.
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Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
Which math standards does Bridges in Mathematics Grade 3 Unit 4 cover?
Bridges in Mathematics Grade 3 Unit 4 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
For teachers: Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence. Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow.