1. Conversions – How to Convert Anything to Anything… Really!
Joy Wolfe – Math Coach
Robin Burns 5th Grade Teacher

2. Before Teaching Conversions
Give students opportunities to explore units of measure contextually.
Use stories and examples to illustrate conversions.
Stress with each example how converting from smaller to larger units is division. (36 inches divided up into groups of 12 inches each means 36 inches = 3 yards)
Do the same for the relationship between multiplication and converting larger to smaller units. (2 pints of milk multiplied by 2 cups in each pint gives you: 2 pints = 4 cups)

3. How many gallons are in 6 half gallons?
In this problem, you’re converting half gallons to gallons.
6 half gallons / 2 in each gallon = 3 gallons.
To convert smaller to larger units you divide.

4. How many fingers are on 8 hands?
In this problem, you’re converting hands to fingers.
8 hands X 5 fingers = 40 fingers
To convert larger to smaller units you multiply.

5. Teach Them a Strategy That Works for Converting Any Type of Units

6. To convert from larger to smaller Remember laughing smelly mouse.
To convert from smaller to larger units you divide. Remember slow lazy dog.
To convert from larger to smaller
units you multiply.
Remember laughing smelly mouse.

7. Set up the equation the same way every time. (Understand & Plan)
How many inches in 3 ft?
3 ft = _____ in

8. Drop the amount you know. (Solve)
How many inches in 3 ft?
3 ft = _____ in 3

9. Write the Operation. (Solve)
How many inches in 3 ft?
3 ft = _____ in
3 X

10. Insert the Amount of Smaller Units in Each Larger Unit. (Solve)
How many inches in 3 ft?
3 ft = _____ in
3 X 12

11. Solve and Label. How many inches in 3 ft? 3 ft = _____ in
3 X 12 = 36 in

12. See if Your Answer is Reasonable and is Labeled. (Check)
3 ft = 36 in
12 in
12 in
12 in

13. Now You Try. Plan How many hours are in 240 minutes?
240 minutes = ______ hours

14. Drop the Number You Know.
How many hours are in 240 minutes?
240 minutes = ______ hours
240

15. Write the Operation How many hours are in 240 minutes?
240 minutes = ______ hours
240 /

16. Write the Number of Smaller Units in Each Larger Unit.
How many hours are in 240 minutes?
240 minutes = ______ hours
240 / 60

17. Write and Label Your Answer
How many hours are in 240 minutes?
240 minutes = ______ hours
240 / 60
= 4 hours

18. Check to be Sure it’s Reasonable.
360 minutes = 4 hours.
60 minutes minutes minutes minutes

19. Now You Try
2 gallons is equal to how many quarts?

20. Now You Try
How many yards are equal to 9 feet?

21. Now You Try
If Jose has five weeks to complete a project, how many days does he have to work?

22. Now You Try
Tanner has 28 quarters, but his pockets are full! How many dollars can he trade for?

23. Web Resources
Online conversion calculators
Practice with conversions
PDF lesson with practice sheet

24. Web Resources
Video tutorials with practice
Contextual practice with metric measurement
Brainpop Jr Inches and Feet username: rogersk12arus, password: bpop (See printed quizzes.)

25. Web Resources
DEstreaming (formerly unitedstreaming) k-2 measurement video segments
DEstreaming (formerly unitedstreaming) 3-5 measurement video segments