Go Math! Grade 3, Chapter 12: Time Liquid Volume and Mass
In this unit, the year ends with everyday measuring. Your child tells time to the minute, uses a.m. and p.m., and finds elapsed time, the time that passes from start to finish. They also estimate and measure liquid volume in liters and mass in grams and kilograms, and solve story problems using adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Chapter 12?
- Telling time to the minute, using a.m. and p.m., and finding start times, end times, and elapsed time on a number line. Learn more about telling time to the minute: Telling time to the minute · Learn more about working out how many minutes have passed
- Measuring liquid volume in liters and mass in grams and kilograms, and solving problems like how many 5-liter buckets fill 20 liters. 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
The school play starts 20 minutes after the time shown on the clock. What time does the school play begin?
- 6:25 p.m.
- 7:05 p.m.
- 7:00 p.m.
How you can help
- Before leaving for an activity, ask how many minutes are left, such as from 4:35 to 5:00, and let your child count it out (25).
- Read the mass on cans and boxes in your cupboard, such as a 400-gram can, and ask your child which item has the most mass.
- Ask your child whether bedtime and breakfast are a.m. or p.m. times, and how many hours pass from 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (11).
Where kids can get stuck
- Mixing up a.m. and p.m., so a school day seems to start in the evening.
- Viewing a measuring cup at an angle and reading the liquid at the wrong line.
- Counting minutes past 60, so 45 minutes after 3:45 becomes 3:90 instead of 4:30.
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
- a.m. and p.m.
- A.m. means times from midnight to noon; p.m. means times from noon to midnight.
- elapsed time
- How much time passes from the start to the end of something.
- minute
- A short unit of time; there are 60 minutes in an hour.
- liquid volume
- The amount of space a liquid takes up, often measured in liters.
- liter
- A unit of liquid volume; a large water bottle holds about 1 liter.
- mass
- How heavy an object is.
- 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.
Want to help your child master time, mass, and liquid volume?
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 Go Math! Grade 3 Chapter 12 cover?
Go Math! Grade 3 Chapter 12 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.