Lesson 55: Pints, Quarts, Gallons

Lesson Objectives

Learn relative sizes of measurement units for the U.S. customary system
Learn relative sizes of measurement units for the metric system
Use tables of measure
Use charts and tables to find conversion equivalents
Recognize units of measure for length, capacity, and mass in the U.S. customary system

Materials

Extend Workbook (Page 55)
If possible, show: cups, pint, quart, gallon objects
Pre-made list of 5 questions related to how much various containers hold (see modeling and guided practice below)

Step 1: Warm Up (5 min)

Let’s use what we know to find the number of ounces in a gallon. There are 8 ounces in a cup and 2 cups in a pint. How many ounces are in a pint? Multiply 8 x 2. Explain to your partner why you multiply 8 x 2. Yes, because there are 8 ounces in a cup and 2 cups in a pint. There are 16 ounces in a pint. We also know a quart is 2 pints. Since 16 ounces are in one pint, how many ounces are in two pints? Yes, 32 ounces. There are 32 ounces in a quart. Now we can find how many ounces are in a gallon. There are 4 quarts in one gallon, and there are 32 ounces in each quart. What are the factors to find the number of ounces in a gallon? Yes, 32 x 4. There are 128 ounces in a gallon. For the sake of our activities today, we do not need to multiply all these out, but it is good to know.

Step 2: Vocab Review (5 min)

Introduce new vocabulary: capacity (measures the amount a container holds), volume (a cubic measure) cups, pints, quart, and gallon. The smallest unit of volume or capacity is an ounce. Read the relationships with me: 8 ounces = 1 cup; 2 cups = 1 pint; 2 pints = 1 quart; and 4 quarts = 1 gallon. The smallest unit is ounces. The largest unit is gallons.

Step 3: Model (5 min)

Play estimation games using the visuals of a cup, pint, quart, and gallon objects. Pick up objects and ask questions: is this bottle of water more than a cup or more than a gallon? Can this bowl hold more than 2 cups or more than a quart? Explain your rationale when you are “estimating” since you are not actually pouring into any of these items.

Step 4: Guided Practice (5 min)

Now, put students in groups or in pairs and give each group 5 questions related to how much containers hold (within the classroom or at home) in comparision to the cups, pints, quarts, and gallons. Use your pre-made list of questions to pass out. Have students write their answers down and explain to the group. Support groups as needed.

Step 5: Student Practice (5 min)

Go to Student Workbook Page (55). Read the explanation about capacity at the top of the page. Review the visuals of cups, pints, quarts, and gallons. Ask students how much each container holds on page 55, using the visuals as a guide. Explain these are estimations and to be ready to explain their answers if necessary. Ring the better estimate.

Step 6: Wrap Up (5 min)

To wrap up the lesson, review the learning objectives and core vocabulary words again and ask your students about their experience.