5th Grade · Measurement & Data
5.MD.A.1: Convert between units, like feet and yards, to solve problems
5.MD.A.1 is a 5th grade Common Core math standard in Measurement & Data. Here’s what it really covers, and how you can help your students learn it.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
The standard
Convert among different-sized standard measurement units within a given measurement system (e.g., convert 5 cm to 0.05 m), and use these conversions in solving multi-step, real world problems.
In plain words
Convert between units, like feet and yards, to solve problems.
Sample questions from student practice
These questions from Bobby's Math Club are the kinds of questions your students will see. You can try answering them to see what a student might see.
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
Where students can get stuck
- Dividing when they should multiply, so 4 yards becomes 4 ÷ 3 feet instead of 4 × 3 = 12 feet.
- Treating feet and inches like decimals, writing 5 feet 8 inches as 5.8 feet instead of 5 2/3 feet.
- Forgetting to convert back at the end, answering 96 ounces when the question asked for pounds, which is 6.
Effective teaching strategies
- Build a two-column table of yards and feet with students, such as 1 yard to 3 feet and 2 yards to 6 feet, and ask why the feet count is larger.
- Ask students to write 5 feet 8 inches as 5 and 8/12 feet, and explain why 8 inches is a fraction of a foot with 12 as the denominator.
- Require students to circle the unit the question asks for and check that the last line of work uses it, such as 96 ounces rewritten as 6 pounds.
Units that teach this standard
Find where 5.MD.A.1 lands in the program you teach. Each unit has a guide written for families. Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence.
Bridges in Mathematics
enVision Mathematics
Eureka Math
Everyday Mathematics
i-Ready Classroom Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics
Math Expressions
Don’t see your curriculum? Contact Bobby and we’ll see if we can help!
Share it with families
Families can read Converting feet to yards and grams to kilograms for a plain-language look at this skill, with three questions to try together and ideas for helping at home.
Help every student practice measurement and data at home
In Bobby's Math Club, students practice 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 for every family.
See how it works for teachers
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.