Math Expressions Grade 5, Unit 8: Measurement and Geometry
In this unit, your child converts measurements within one system, like inches to feet or milliliters to liters, and finds volume by counting cubes and multiplying length × width × height. They also classify quadrilaterals by their properties, learning why a square is also a rectangle and a rhombus. It follows the algebra and graphing unit and closes the fifth-grade year.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 8?
- Converting between units like inches and feet or milliliters and liters, and using conversions to solve multi-step problems. Learn more: Converting feet to yards and grams to kilograms
- Defining volume as the space a solid figure takes up, measured by the number of unit cubes that fill it. Learn more: Volume: how much space is inside a solid
- Counting unit cubes, layer by layer, to measure volume in cubic centimeters, cubic inches, or cubic feet. Learn more: Finding volume by counting cubes
- Applying the formulas V = l × w × h and V = B × h, and adding the volumes of boxes joined together. Learn more: Finding the volume of a box
- Explaining that every property of a category belongs to the shapes inside it, so all rectangles have parallel opposite sides. Learn more: Why a square is also a rectangle
- Classifying quadrilaterals in a hierarchy, from quadrilateral to parallelogram to rectangle or rhombus to square. Learn more: Sorting four-sided shapes into a family tree
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
Nadia asks for 3/4 pound of sliced turkey at the deli. How many ounces of turkey is that?
- 4 ounces
- 9 ounces
- 12 ounces
How you can help
- Read drink labels in milliliters and liters at the store. Ask how many 250 milliliter cups fill a 2 liter bottle, and how your child converted.
- Find the volume of a cereal box or shoebox: measure in inches, multiply length × width × height, then compare with a box of a different shape.
- Sort shapes you spot on a walk or around the house into families. Ask your child to explain why a square also belongs with rectangles and rhombuses.
Where kids can get stuck
- Treating feet and inches like decimals, so 5 feet 8 inches gets written as 5.8 feet instead of 5 2/3 feet.
- Writing square inches instead of cubic inches, using the unit for flat area to label a solid's volume.
- Mixing up the branches of the family tree, thinking a rhombus needs right angles or a rectangle needs four equal sides.
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
- convert
- To change a measurement to a different unit, like feet to inches.
- liter
- A metric unit of liquid volume equal to 1,000 milliliters.
- volume
- The amount of space inside a solid shape, measured in cubic units.
- cubic unit
- The unit for measuring volume: the space one unit cube fills.
- formula
- A rule written with letters and symbols, like V = l × w × h.
- quadrilateral
- Any closed flat shape with 4 straight sides.
- parallelogram
- A quadrilateral with two pairs of parallel sides.
- rhombus
- A parallelogram with 4 equal sides.
- attribute
- A feature of a shape, like the number of sides or right angles.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with measurement and geometry?
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 Math Expressions Grade 5 Unit 8 cover?
Math Expressions Grade 5 Unit 8 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
- 5.MD.A.1: Convert between units, like feet and yards, to solve problems.
- 5.MD.C.3: Understand volume: how many cubes it takes to fill a solid shape.
- 5.MD.C.4: Find the volume of a shape by counting cubes.
- 5.MD.C.5: Find the volume of a box by multiplying its length, width, and height.
- 5.G.B.3: Know that a square has everything a rectangle has, because it is one.
- 5.G.B.4: Sort shapes into families by their sides and angles.
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.