A focused Grade 4 learning session for Measurement Word Problems using visual models, worked examples, strategy guidance, and a short mastery check.
Student goal: I can solve a measurement word problem and label my answer with the correct unit.
Measurement Word Problems means choosing a model, naming what each number means, and explaining the strategy.
Question: A basketball game starts at \(6{:}00\) p.m. and ends at \(8{:}30\) p.m. How long is the game?
| Start | End |
|---|---|
| \(6{:}00\) p.m. | \(8{:}30\) p.m. |
Why it works: The game starts at 6:00 p.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m. From 6:00 to 8:00 is 2 hours, plus 30 more minutes. Total: \(2\) hours \(30\) minutes. The game is \(\mathbf{2}\) hours \(\mathbf{30}\) minutes long.
Answer: \(2\) hours \(30\) minutes
Question: A number line shows distances in kilometers. A walker travels from 0 km to 7 km in the morning, then 5 km more in the afternoon. What is the final distance from the start?
Answer: \(12\) km
Question: A bar model shows 4 equal bars representing containers of milk, each holding \(6\) liters. How many liters in total?
Answer: \(24\) L
Question: Sam has \(5\) liters of juice. He uses \(2\) liters to make punch. How many liters of juice does he have left?
Why it works: Sam starts with 5 liters and uses 2 liters for punch. Subtract to find what's left: \(5 - 2 = 3\) liters. He has \(\mathbf{3}\) liters remaining.
Answer: \(3\) L
Measurement Word Problems becomes easier when students connect the question to a model, use clear steps, and explain why the answer fits.
Understand the model before choosing the operation.
Use scratch paper. The explanation matters more than simply seeing whether the choice is correct.
A race track is \(400\) meters long. If Maria runs around it \(3\) times, how many meters does she run in total?
Answer C: \(1{,}200\) m
Maria runs one lap of 400 meters three times. Multiply to find the total: \(3 \times 400 = 1{,}200\) meters. That's \(\mathbf{1{,}200}\) meters in all!
Sam has \(5\) liters of juice. He uses \(2\) liters to make punch. How many liters of juice does he have left?
Answer B: \(3\) L
Sam starts with 5 liters and uses 2 liters for punch. Subtract to find what's left: \(5 - 2 = 3\) liters. He has \(\mathbf{3}\) liters remaining.
Ava's pencil is \(19\) centimeters long. Diego's pencil is \(24\) centimeters long. What is the difference in length?
Answer A: \(5\) cm
Diego's pencil is 24 cm and Ava's is 19 cm. Find the difference by subtracting: \(24 - 19 = 5\) cm. The difference is \(\mathbf{5}\) centimeters.
Mia weighs \(42\) pounds. Her dog weighs \(18\) pounds. How much more does Mia weigh than her dog?
Answer A: \(24\) pounds
Mia weighs 42 pounds and her dog weighs 18 pounds. Subtract to compare: \(42 - 18 = 24\) pounds. Mia weighs \(\mathbf{24}\) pounds more.
Noah buys \(3\) bottles of water, each containing \(500\) milliliters. How many milliliters of water does he buy in total?
Answer C: \(1{,}500\) mL
Noah buys 3 bottles, each holding 500 mL. Multiply: \(3 \times 500 = 1{,}500\) mL. He buys \(\mathbf{1{,}500}\) milliliters in total.
A recipe calls for \(8\) cups of flour. If the baker wants to make \(4\) batches, how many cups of flour are needed?
Answer C: \(32\) cups
One batch needs 8 cups of flour. For 4 batches, multiply: \(8 \times 4 = 32\) cups. The baker needs \(\mathbf{32}\) cups of flour.
During lunch, the cafeteria used \(6\) gallons of milk on Monday and \(8\) gallons on Tuesday. How many gallons did they use in total?
Answer C: \(14\) gallons
The cafeteria used 6 gallons on Monday and 8 gallons on Tuesday. Add them: \(6 + 8 = 14\) gallons. They used \(\mathbf{14}\) gallons in total.
Ethan has \($35\) and spends \($12\) on a book. How much money does he have left?
Answer B: \($23\)
Ethan has $35 and spends $12 on a book. Subtract: \(35 - 12 = 23\) dollars. He has \(\mathbf{$23}\) left.
A container holds \(2\) kilograms of rice. How much rice is in \(7\) identical containers?
Answer C: \(14\) kg
Each container holds 2 kilograms of rice. With 7 containers, multiply: \(2 \times 7 = 14\) kg. The total is \(\mathbf{14}\) kilograms.
Sophia reads for \(15\) minutes in the morning and \(20\) minutes in the evening. How many minutes does she read in total each day?
Answer C: \(35\) minutes
Sophia reads 15 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the evening. Add: \(15 + 20 = 35\) minutes. She reads \(\mathbf{35}\) minutes each day.
A rope is \(48\) inches long. If it is cut into \(6\) equal pieces, how long is each piece?
Answer B: \(8\) inches
A 48-inch rope is cut into 6 equal pieces. Divide: \(48 \div 6 = 8\) inches. Each piece is \(\mathbf{8}\) inches long.
