Metric: The metric world uses length units of measurement.
All metric measurement units contain either the words
kilometer
millimeter
meter as the base word

Linear/Length:
We use meters to measure how long something is or to measure length.
Some tools we use to measure meters
Ruler
Measuring tape
yardstick
Meterstick
1.35 mm (mm)- about the thickness of a dime
(cm) - about the width of a Reese’s pieces
(dm) - this is 10 centimeters or about the width of an adults hand.
(m) - about the distance from one hand to another when you stretch out your arms
2.54 cm = 1 inch
(km) - 1,000 meters. About the distance you can walk in 15 minutes.

Mass:
When we measure we weigh something.
Tools used to Measure Mass:
or
(mg) - About the mass of a grain of salt.
(g) - the mass of a dollar bill.
(kg) - about the mass of a baseball bat.

Volume:
Amount of that a substance or object .
Tools that measure
Graduated
Beaker


(ml) - used to measure small amount like medicine
(l) - half of a two liter of soda

Temperature:
Measures how or something is
Tools used to measure temperature:
(C) - Water freezes at 0℃ and boils at 100℃

Metric Ladder Conversion:
Basic Units are:



To convert to a larger unit, move the decimal point to the left or divide
←
To convert to a smaller unit, move the decimal point to the right or multiply
→
How do you use the Ladder Method?
Determine your starting point
Count the “jumps” to your ending point.
Move the decimal the same amount of jumps in the same direction.
Example: 4km = m
Starting point ending point
How many jumps does it take?
4. ...= 4000m

Metric Conversion Practice:

1. Using the ladder method answer the questions below
1000 mg = g
1 L = mL
160 cm = mm
14 km = m
109 g = kg
250 m = km

2. Compare using , or =.

56 cm 6 m
56 cm 6 m

3. Write the correct abbreviation for each metric unit.

Kilogram
Milliliter
Kilometer
Meter
Millimeter
Centimeter
Gram
Liter
Milligram

4. Try these conversions, using the ladder method.

2000 mg = g
5 L = mL
16 cm = mm
104 km = m
198 g = kg
2500 m = km
480 cm = m
75 mL = L
65 g = mg
5.6 kg = g
50 cm = m
6.3 cm = mm
8 mm = cm
5.6 m = cm
120 mg = g

5. Compare using , or =.

63 cm 6 m
5 g 508 mg
1,500 mL 1.5 L
536 cm 53.6 dm
43 mg 5 g
3.6 m 36 cm