Length Conversion

Do your students know how to work with different measurement units? In regards to length, students practice manipulating units such as millimeters, centimeters, meters, and kilometers. These metric conversions are a bit easier, as they are based on units of 10. When studying customary length, this can be a bit trickier. Remembering how many inches are in a foot, how many feet are in a yard, how many yards are in a mile, etc., is a bit trickier.

If you are looking for an activity to use in your classroom to help your students with this measurement skill, you have come to the right place! Teach Starter has created a set of 24 task cards where students will practice not only standard conversion problems but also word problems where they must convert within the metric and customary system.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your math lessons.

In addition to individual student work time, use this set of task cards to enhance learning through guided math groups, whole class lessons, or remote learning assignments. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

If there are students who need assistance with this activity, invite them to reference previous assignments, posters, or anchor charts.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

Encourage students who need an additional challenge to convert to an additional unit. For example, if the question asks students to convert between meters and kilometers, students can also write the value in centimeters.

🛴 Scoot Activity

Place the cards around the room in numerical order and give each student a recording sheet. Assign students or pairs to a starting point card. Give students time to review the card and record their answer in the corresponding space on their paper. Students will rotate to the next card when you say, “SCOOT!” Continue in this manner until students return to their starting point. 

👋 Exit Ticket 

Use these cards as a formative assessment after your lesson. Pick a random assortment of cards and project them on the board for the whole class to see. Students can record their answers on a sheet of paper, sticky note, or their notebook. 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the color PDF, black and white PDF, or editable Google Slides version of this resource. A recording sheet and answer key are also included with this download. 

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

To keep the task cards out of pockets or under desks, punch a hole in the corner of each to place them on a binder ring. 

Sustainability Tip: Print a few recording sheets on cardstock and slip them into dry-erase sleeves. Students can record their answers with a whiteboard marker, then erase and reuse them.

 This resource was created by Cassandra Friesen, a teacher in Colorado and Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities and resources that cut down on lesson planning time:  

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Converting Units of Length – Error Analysis Worksheet

Analyze length conversions to identify and correct mistakes with this error analysis worksheet.

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Converting Units of Length - Math Mazes

Strengthen measurement conversion skills while converting units of length with this set of math mazes.

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Riddle Me! Converting Units of Length – Worksheet

Use ratio reasoning and measurement conversion skills to complete a set of 3 riddle worksheets.