Zearn Math Grade 4, Mission 7: Exploring Measurement
In this unit, your child converts customary units, such as feet to inches, pounds to ounces, and gallons to quarts, along with hours to minutes. They solve word problems with measurements and use area and perimeter to solve problems. It follows the decimal unit and closes fourth grade by putting the year's skills to work in measurement.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Mission 7?
- Converting customary units, such as 3 pounds to 48 ounces, 2 gallons to 8 quarts, and 5 feet to 60 inches, with conversion tables. Learn more: Converting feet to inches and kilograms to grams
- Solving measurement word problems with mixed units, such as adding 2 feet 9 inches and 1 foot 6 inches. Learn more: Story problems about distance, time, and money
- Using area and perimeter to solve real problems, and finding a missing side when the area or perimeter is known. Learn more: Using area and perimeter to solve real problems
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
Amara buys a 5-pound bag of oranges. How many ounces does the bag weigh?
- 60 ounces
- 21 ounces
- 80 ounces
How you can help
- Read milk and juice containers at the store: a gallon holds 4 quarts, so ask your child how many quarts are in 3 gallons.
- Measure family members' heights in feet and inches, then ask your child to convert each height to inches only, remembering that each foot is 12 inches.
- Plan a border for a poster: if the poster is 3 feet by 2 feet, ask your child how much border goes around it and how much space it covers.
Where kids can get stuck
- Assuming customary units work in tens, so a foot seems to hold 10 inches and a gallon 10 quarts.
- Dividing instead of multiplying when changing pounds to ounces, ending up with fewer ounces than pounds.
- Mixing up the units, writing an area in feet instead of square feet.
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 3 feet to 36 inches.
- customary units
- Measuring units like inches, feet, pounds, and gallons.
- inch
- A small customary unit of length; 12 inches make 1 foot.
- ounce
- A customary unit of weight; 16 ounces make 1 pound.
- pound
- A customary unit of weight equal to 16 ounces.
- quart
- A customary unit of liquid volume; 4 quarts make 1 gallon.
- gallon
- A customary unit of liquid volume equal to 4 quarts.
- area
- The amount of space inside a flat shape, measured in square units.
- perimeter
- The distance all the way around a flat shape.
Want to help your child master customary units of measure?
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.
Join the club
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 Zearn Math Grade 4 Mission 7 cover?
Zearn Math Grade 4 Mission 7 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.