Measurement progression

Adults use strategies to measure. They can compare, order and measure objects, selecting appropriate units, tools, estimates and formulas for tasks in their everyday lives.

Find more information about the development of the ability to measure and interpret shape and space.

Most adults will be able to:			Activities
1.	compare and order objects directly, using attributes of length, area, volume and capacity, weight, angle, temperature and time intervals in order to understand the attributes.	Learners can compare and order objects according to their measurable attributes. For example, a learner can directly compare the length of two sticks to say which is longer.
2.	use repetition of a single unit to measure length, area, volume and capacity, weight, angle, temperature and time.	Learners can use repeated standard units (such as centimetres) or nonstandard units (such as hand spans) to measure the attributes of objects.	Understanding volume Learners develop an understanding of volume as the number of cubic units needed to fill a solid shape. Benchmarks for metres and centimetres Learners develop their skill at estimating the length of objects in metres and centimetres. Understanding area Learners develop an understanding of area as the number of square units needed to cover a shape.
4.	select and use sensible units (both informal and standard or formal units) to measure length, area, volume and capacity, weight, angle, temperature, power and time use common benchmarks to select appropriate methods for estimating measurements carry out simple unit conversions within a measurement system.	Learners select and use appropriate standard units and instruments to measure length, weight, capacity and volume, angle, temperature, power and time. For example, a learner uses an electronic scale to weigh 200 grams of butter for a cooking recipe. The appropriateness of the unit depends on the problem or task. For example, to measure weight, appropriate units may include: tonnes (for weighing a truck) kilograms (for weighing a person) grams (for weighing a bird). Learners use their knowledge of place value and the metric system to carry out simple conversions. Examples include: 100 centimetres = 1 metre 2,000 millilitres = 2 litres 60 minutes= 1 hour 3,000 watts = 3 kilowatts. Learners use common benchmarks to select appropriate methods for estimating measurements. For example, a hand span can be used as an estimate for 20 centimetres, or a pace can be used as an estimate for 1 metre.	Time formats Learners become familiar with expressing time in each of its three forms: analogue, 12 hour, and 24-hour digital. Time conversions Learners become familiar with converting from one unit of time to another. Benchmarks for weight Learners develop an understanding of weight and mass. Benchmarks for capacity Learners develop their skill at estimating the volume of containers in litres and millilitres by establishing personal benchmarks. Benchmarks for angle Learners develop an understanding of what angles are and how to measure them.
5.	select and use sensible units and tools and/or formulas to measure the side lengths, perimeters and areas of rectangles, circles and triangles to appropriate levels of precision carry out conversions within a measurement system.	Learners can calculate the area and perimeter of rectangles, triangles and circles from measurements of length. A rectangle with side lengths of 7 centimetres and 6 centimetres has an area of 42 square centimetres. A rectangular sports field that is 80 metres wide and 125 metres long has an area of 80 x 125 = 10,000 square metres. This is also called 1 hectare. Learners can convert units within measurement systems. 1.25 litres is 1,250 millilitres. 60 watts is 0.06 kilowatts. 1 million seconds is about 11.5 days.	Fixed perimetre rectangles and area Learners develop an understanding of how to calculate the area and perimeter of rectangles. Fixed area rectangles and perimeters Learners develop an understanding of how to calculate the area and perimeter of rectangles. Connecting tonnes, kilograms and grams Learners develop an understanding of the relative size of tonnes, kilograms and grams and the conversions between the units. Connecting kilometres, metres, centimetres and millimetres Learners develop an understanding of the relative size of metres, centimetres and millimetres and conversions between the units. Circumferences Learners develop an understanding of how to calculate the circumference of circles and cylinders. Areas of circles Learners develop an understanding of how to calculate the area of a circle.
6.	select and use sensible units and tools and/or formulas to measure surface areas and volumes of prisms, including cylinders, to appropriate levels of precision carry out conversions within and between measurement systems.	Learners can use appropriate units, tools and formulas to measure the surface areas and volumes of prisms, including cylinders. For example if a prism has side lengths of 4 centimetres, 6 centimetres and 7 centimetres, it has a volume of 4 x 6 x 7 = 168 cubic centimetres. Learners can convert between measurement systems. 2.5 inches is 0.0635 metres or 6.35 centimetres. a 60-watt light bulb running for 7 days uses 0.06 x 24 x 7 = 10.08 kilowatt hours of energy.	Calculating volumes of regular 3D objects Learners develop an understanding of how to calculate the volume of regular 3D objects.