Estimating of
Measurement
Capacity
(Conversions)
Standard: 3.M.1.5
Understand measurable attributes of objects and the
units, systems, and process of measurement.
Concept Skill:
Estimate and measure capacity____________________
The capacity is the amount a container can hold.
In the customary system, cup (c), pint (pt), quart (qt),
and gallon (gal) are measures of capacity.
Cup (c): about the amount of liquid a drinking glass holds.
A small carton of milk holds 1 cup.
Gallon (gal): A large container of milk holds 1 gallon.
Materials Sheet for creating a Gallon Man.
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Glue
Markers
16 pieces of paper for the cups
8 pieces of paper for the pints
4 pieces of paper for the quarts
1 piece of paper for the gallon
Equal Measurements:
gallon
“Teacher Sample Questions”
Example: 1
Which is the best unit to describe the amount of water
in a bathtub?
A quart
B cup
C pint
D gallon
Step 1: Think about the problem in real life.
(You will need a unit that holds a large amount of water
because a bathtub holds a lot of water).
Step 2: Look at choice A.
(A quart is about ¼ the size of a gallon).
Step 3: Look at choice B.
(A cup is about the size of a drinking glass).
Step 4: Look at choice C.
(A pint is smaller than a quart).
Step 5: Look at choice D.
A gallon is about the amount of a gallon of milk. This is the
largest unit out of the choices).
Gallon is the best unit to use.
Example: 2
Gabby wants to paint her kitchen walls. Choose the
unit she would use to measure the capacity of the
paint can.
Step 1: Think about the problem in real life.
(To paint the wall, you would have to think about how much
paint it would take).
Step 2: Think about the different units available.
1 pint =
1 quart =
1 gallon =
2 cups
2 pints
4 quarts
Step 3: Choose your answer.
(When buying paint, I would more likely be buying a gallon
of paint).
(A gallon would be the best unit to measure the
capacity of the paint can).
“STUDENT PRACTICE”
Heather wants to buy a large aquarium. What is the
best estimate as to how much water a large aquarium
would hold?
A.
B.
C.
D.
30 ounces
30 pints
30 gallons
30 cups
Which of the following would most likely be the
weight of a puppy?
A.
B.
C.
D.
5 pounds
2 ounces
10 gallons
2 tons
“STUDENT PRACTICE”
Sandy wants to make a fruit punch and the recipe
says to use 2 gallons of sprite. How many quarts of
sprite would that be?
Use words, picture or numbers to show your answer.
“KEY”
Heather wants to buy a large aquarium. What is the
best estimate as to how much water a large aquarium
would hold?
A.
B.
*C.
D.
30 ounces
30 pints
30 gallons
30 cups
Which of the following would most likely be the
weight of a puppy?
*A.
B.
C.
D.
5 pounds
2 ounces
10 gallons
2 tons
“KEY”
Sandy wants to make a fruit punch and the recipe
says to use 2 gallons of sprite. How many quarts of
sprite would that be?
Use words, picture or numbers to show your answer.
There are 4 quarts in 1
gallon.
4x2=8
“STUDENT PRACTICE”
John is going to fill his small swimming pool with
water. What is the best estimate as to how much
water a small swimming pool would hold?
A.
B.
C.
D.
200 cups
200 gallons
200 pints
200 liters
Mrs. Smith is making her class cookies for Christmas.
The recipe calls for 4 cups of chocolate chips. How
many pints would that be?
“KEY”
John is going to fill his small swimming pool with
water. What is the best estimate as to how much
water a small swimming pool would hold?
A.
B.
C.
D.
200 cups
200 gallons
200 pints
200 liters
Mrs. Smith is making her class cookies for Christmas.
The recipe calls for 4 cups of chocolate chips. How
many pints would that be?
2 cups equals one pint so
four cups would equal 2
pints