Math K-7 IRP Shape and Space (Measurement)

Students describe and compare real-world phenomena using either direct or indirect measurement.

It is expected that students will:

Grades K to 1 Grades 2 to 3 Grade 4
Estimate, measure, and compare measures using whole numbers and non-standard units of measure

Measure, estimate, and compare, using whole numbers and non-standard and standard units of measure

Estimate, measure, and compare quantities, using decimal numbers and standard units of measure



  • classify, describe, and arrange objects using comparative language to compare length, size, area, weight, and volume

  • use comparative terms to describe time and temperature

  • compare the relative sizes of non-standard units by measuring the same object using different units of measurement, and recognize that different objects may have the same mass

  • select an appropriate non-standard unit to estimate, measure, record, compare, and order objects and containers

  • estimate the number of uniform objects and irregular shapes that will cover a given area and verify their estimates by covering and counting

  • compare and sequence events according to the duration of time (using non-standard units), time of day, days of the week, and the seasons

  • recognize and name the value of pennies, nickels, and dimes

  • use money as a form of exchange

  • create equivalent sets of coins up to 10¢ in value


  • estimate, measure, record, compare, and order objects and containers using non-standard and standard units

  • construct a shape, length, or object using a specific non-standard unit or standard unit

  • select the most appropriate standard unit for measuring length (cm, m, km), mass (g, kg), volume (L), and time (minutes, hours, days)

  • describe relationships among various standard units of measure

  • relate the size of units to the number of units needed when measuring

  • recognize that the size and shape of an object does not necessarily determine its mass

  • make connections among manipulatives, diagrams, spoken terms, and written symbols

  • estimate and measure the passage of time in terms of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years and relate the various measures to each other

  • read and write the date, including the days of the week and use the abbreviations and names of the months of the year in order

  • read and write time to the nearest minute using 12-hour notation (use both a digital and an analog clock)

  • estimate, read, and record temperature to the nearest degree Celsius

  • relate temperature to real-life situations

  • identify and use coins and bills (to $100) to estimate, count, record collections, create equivalent sets, and make change up to $10

  • read and write both forms of money notation (89¢ and $0.89)


  • construct specific lengths (mm)

  • select the most appropriate standard unit (mm, cm, m, km) to measure length

  • describe the relationships among mm, cm, m, and km

  • estimate, measure, record, compare, and order objects by length, height, perimeter, and circumference using standard units (mm, cm, m, km)

  • estimate, measure, record, compare, and order shapes by area using standard units (cm2, m2)

  • construct a number of shapes given a specific area (cm2)

  • select the most appropriate standard unit to measure area

  • relate the number of units needed to the size of the units to measure the area of an object

  • estimate, measure, record, compare, and order the capacity of containers using standard units (mL, L)

  • relate the number of units needed to the size of the units to measure the mass of an object

  • describe the relationship between grams and kilograms

  • solve problems involving mass using grams and kilograms

  • relate years, decades, centuries, and millenniums

  • read and write time on a 24-hour clock

  • read and write time using a.m. and p.m.

  • estimate, count, and record collections of coins and bills up to $100

  • make purchases and change up to $100


It is expected that students will:

Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7
Use measurement concepts, appropriate tools, and the results of measurements to solve problems in real-life contexts Be able to solve problems involving perimeter, area, surface area, volume, and angle measurement

Solve problems involving the properties of circles and their relationships to angles and time zones



  • recognize and explain the meaning of length, width, height, depth, thickness, perimeter, and circumference

  • solve problems involving mass using grams, kilograms, and tonnes

  • evaluate which units of measure would be most appropriate when selecting different measuring tools

  • estimate and measure the area of irregular shapes by dividing them into parts

  • estimate and measure the perimeter of irregular shapes

  • estimate and measure the effect on a rectangle's perimeter or area of changing one or more of its dimensions

  • relate the perimeter and area of a rectangle using manipulatives and diagrams

  • relate the units cm3 and mL

  • estimate, measure, record, and order containers by volume using cm3

  • construct objects of a specific volume expressed in cm3

  • read and write SI notation for recording dates and time


  • convert between commonly used SI units of length, mass, and capacity

  • develop, verify, and use rules or expressions to determine the perimeter of polygons

  • develop, verify, and use rules or expressions to determine the area of rectangles

  • estimate, measure, and then calculate the surface area of right rectangular prisms (without using a formula)

  • discover, generalize, and use rules to determine the volume of right rectangular prisms

  • determine the volume of an object by measuring the amount of liquid displaced by that object (cm3 or mL)

  • recognize angles as being more than 90°, equal to 90°, less than 90°, or greater than 180°

  • estimate and measure angles using a circular protractor

  • draw and sketch an angle in which the degrees in the angle are specified

  • classify given angles as acute, right, obtuse, straight, or reflex

  • identify and compare examples of angles in the environment


  • measure the diameter, radius, and circumference of circles and generalize the relationships

  • solve problems involving circles (radius, diameter, and circumference)

  • explain how time zones are determined

  • determine time in various regions of the world

  • research and report how measurement instruments are used in the community

  • design and construct rectangles, given either or both the perimeter and the area (in whole numbers)

  • demonstrate and generalize that many rectangles are possible for a given perimeter or a given area

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Maintained by: Mathematics Coordinator

Revised: October 20, 1997

  BC Ministry of Education