Meters, Grams and Liters: Converting Metric Units

About This Resource

A complete Grade 5 math lesson pack on converting metric units of length, mass and capacity: the prefixes kilo-, centi- and milli-, multiplying and dividing by 10, 100 and 1,000, converting with decimals, comparing measurements in different units and solving multi-step measurement problems. Includes slides with worked examples, a timed lesson plan, flashcards, worksheet, quiz, homework, rubric and answer key.

Overview

Students learn how the metric system is built on powers of ten. They connect the prefixes kilo- (1,000), centi- (one hundredth) and milli- (one thousandth) to units of length (km, m, cm, mm), mass (kg, g) and capacity (L, mL). They learn the rule "big unit to small unit, multiply; small unit to big unit, divide", move the decimal point to multiply or divide by 10, 100 and 1,000, complete conversion tables, compare measurements given in different units and solve real-world problems such as finding the total length of ribbon or the number of glasses in a jug.

Resource Details

Subject: Math
Topic: Converting Metric Units
Category: Measurement
File Type: PDF
File Size: 346.9 KB
Published: 01 Nov 2026
Downloads: 0

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Grade 5 (ages 10–11) 60 minutes Measurement place value multiplying and dividing by powers of ten problem solving

Learning Objectives

Know the relationships between metric units of length, mass and capacity.
Convert between metric units by multiplying or dividing by 10, 100 or 1,000, including decimal measurements.
Compare measurements in different units and solve multi-step measurement problems.

How to Use This Resource

Start with slide 1: show a meter stick, a 1 kg bag and a 1 L bottle and ask students to estimate items around the room.
Teach the prefixes, the multiply/divide rule and decimal conversions with the slides, letting students try each worked example first.
Students complete the worksheet, then use the quiz to check and the homework for practice. Answers are in the answer key.

Classroom Activity Ideas

Measure and convert: pairs measure five classroom objects in centimeters and convert each length to millimeters and meters.
Kitchen labels: students bring food labels and convert grams to kilograms and milliliters to liters.
Relay race: teams run a set distance in meters and convert their total distance to kilometers.

Differentiation

Support: give a conversion chart and a place value chart for moving digits, and focus on whole-number conversions first. Challenge: convert in two steps (km to cm), compare three measurements in different units and write their own multi-step problems.

Assessment

Worksheet activities and the quiz check conversions, comparisons and problem solving (answer key included). The rubric assesses method, accuracy and explanation.

Teacher Tips

Draw a place value style staircase: km, then m, then cm, then mm, with × 1,000, × 100 and × 10 on the steps going down. Students physically point to the steps to decide whether to multiply or divide. Always ask: "Should the number get bigger or smaller?" before calculating.

What's Included

11-page printable PDF lesson pack: teacher lesson plan with timings, materials and differentiation
Key vocabulary list (7 words with meanings and examples)
Student worksheet (6 activities)
Quiz / assessment (3 parts)
Homework practice page
Printable flashcards: 7 A5 picture cards (separate PDF)
Assessment rubric (4 levels)
Lesson slides (editable PowerPoint)
Editable Word version of all student pages
Complete answer key (also as a separate PDF)