Unit Lab Teacher Guide Conversion Lab
Teacher Facilitation & Pacing Guide
Grade 5 • Math
Duration
45-50 Minutes
Objective
Multiply fractions by whole numbers to convert customary units.
Standards
5.MD.A.1, 5.NF.B.4
Instructional Sequence
00-05 min
Lab Prep: Warm-up
Students solve "fraction of a number" problems on their worksheets. Focus on the concept that "of" means multiplication.
"If we have 1/2 of 100, we are splitting 100 into two equal parts. How does this look as a multiplication sentence?"
05-15 min
Visual Lab: Video Analysis
Watch "Unit Conversions for Teens!". Focus specifically on the 3:31 timestamp (the 1/3 mile example).
Pause at 3:33: Ask: "How do we tackle finding a third of 5,280?"Pause at 4:11: Give students time to check the Anchor Chart for reference.
15-35 min
Experimentation: Fraction Action
Students work on the Fraction Action Worksheet . They must show the multiplication setup for each conversion.
Teacher Hack: Remind students that \(\frac{1}{a} \times b\) is the same as \(b \div a\).
35-45 min
Debrief: Lab Share
Pair-Share: Students explain the specific steps to solve "1/4 of a mile in feet."
Look For:
Students identifying 1 mile = 5,280 ft and multiplying it by 1/4 (or dividing by 4).
Common Pitfall:
Dividing by the wrong number or using the wrong conversion factor (e.g., 2,000 instead of 5,280).
Preparation Checklist
Print "Fraction Action" Worksheets (1 per student)
Display "Unit Reference Anchor Chart"
Load "Conversion Lab Slides" (Slide 3 for video)
Gather scratch paper for extra calculations
Conversion Lab Slides Math Investigation
CONVERSION LAB
Mixing Fractions and Measurements
Today's Mission
Apply fraction multiplication to convert between units of measurement.
Lab Prep
Solve in your head:
1. \(\frac{1}{2}\) of 100 = ?
2. \(\frac{1}{4}\) of 20 = ?
3. \(\frac{1}{3}\) of 30 = ?
Remember:
Video Tutorial: Unit Conversions
Embedded media
Watch closely for the "1/3 mile" example!
The Conversion Rule
Bigger Unit
(e.g. Mile, Gallon)
Multiply
Smaller Unit
(e.g. Foot, Quart)
"When converting from a big unit to a small unit, we multiply by the conversion factor."
Lab Result: 1/3 Mile
Step 1: The Fact
1 Mile = 5,280 Feet
Step 2: The Math
\[ \frac{1}{3} \times 5,280 \]
The Solution
1,760
Feet
Fraction Action
It's time for some independent lab work!
Rules:
Use your Anchor Chart
Show every multiplication step
Start Investigation
Lab Debrief
Turn to your lab partner and explain:
How do you solve for 1/4 of a mile in feet?
Explain the fact • Explain the math • Final Result
Fraction Action Worksheet Fraction Action
Unit Lab Worksheet • Grade 5
Name:
Date:
Mission: Use fraction multiplication to convert between customary units.
Part 1: Lab Prep (Warm-up)
1. \(\frac{1}{2}\) of 100
2. \(\frac{1}{4}\) of 20
3. \(\frac{1}{3}\) of 30
Part 2: Conversion Investigation
Refer to your Unit Reference Anchor Chart for conversion facts. Show your multiplication steps in the "Show Your Work" area.
01
Convert \(\frac{1}{2}\) ton into pounds.
(1 ton = 2,000 lbs)
Show Your Work:
Final Answer:
pounds
02
Convert \(\frac{1}{4}\) gallon into quarts.
(1 gal = 4 qts)
Show Your Work:
Final Answer:
quarts
03
Convert \(\frac{1}{4}\) mile into feet.
(1 mile = 5,280 ft)
Show Your Work:
Final Answer:
feet
04
Convert \(\frac{1}{2}\) pound into ounces.
(1 lb = 16 oz)
Show Your Work:
Final Answer:
ounces
05
Convert \(\frac{1}{8}\) cup into fluid ounces.
(1 cup = 8 fl oz)
Show Your Work:
Final Answer:
fl oz
End of Lab Activity • Check your work!
Unit Lab Anchor Chart Official Reference
Unit Conversion Lab
US Customary System Reference Sheet
The Secret Formula
Big Unit
e.g. Mile
Multiply
Small Unit
e.g. Foot
Length
1 Mile 5,280 Feet
1 Yard 3 Feet
1 Foot 12 Inches
Volume
1 Gallon 4 Quarts
1 Quart 2 Pints
1 Cup 8 Fl. Ounces
Weight
1 Ton 2,000 Lbs
1 Pound 16 Ounces
Fraction Action: How it works
Problem:
What is \(\frac{1}{3}\) mile in feet?
Logic:
Since 1 mile = 5,280 ft, multiply \(\frac{1}{3}\) by 5,280.
The Calculation
\(\frac{1}{3} \times 5,280 = 1,760\)
1,760 FEET
Pro Tip: Multiplying by \(\frac{1}{3}\) is the same as dividing by 3!
Fraction Action Answer Key ANSWER KEY
Fraction Action • Unit Lab Worksheet
Teacher Resource
Part 1: Lab Prep
1. \(\frac{1}{2}\) of 100
50
2. \(\frac{1}{4}\) of 20
5
3. \(\frac{1}{3}\) of 30
10
Part 2: Conversion Investigation
01 \(\frac{1}{2}\) ton into pounds
1 ton = 2,000 lbs
Logic:
\(\frac{1}{2} \times 2,000 = 1,000\)
1,000 lbs
02 \(\frac{1}{4}\) gallon into quarts
1 gal = 4 qts
Logic:
\(\frac{1}{4} \times 4 = 1\)
1 quart
03 \(\frac{1}{4}\) mile into feet
1 mile = 5,280 ft
Logic:
\(\frac{1}{4} \times 5,280 = 1,320\)
1,320 ft
04 \(\frac{1}{2}\) pound into ounces
1 lb = 16 oz
Logic:
\(\frac{1}{2} \times 16 = 8\)
8 oz
05 \(\frac{1}{8}\) cup into fluid ounces
1 cup = 8 fl oz
Logic:
\(\frac{1}{8} \times 8 = 1\)
1 fl oz
