Grade 3 · Measurement & Data · MAT-03-MD-003
Measure and Estimate Mass
Represent measure and estimate mass with words, symbols, diagrams, or models appropriate to Grade 3.
Learning objectives
What you should be able to do
- Represent measure and estimate mass with words, symbols, diagrams, or models appropriate to Grade 3.
- Solve problems involving measure and estimate mass accurately and explain why the method works.
- Check results for reasonableness using a second representation, inverse relationship, benchmark, or property when appropriate.
Prerequisite check
Make sure the foundation is ready.
Checks conceptual readiness before new Grade 3 reasoning.
Checks whether prior skills are available for use, not only recalled by name.
Learn
Build the idea from meaning, not memorization.
Meaning of Measure and Estimate Mass
Mass describes how much matter an object contains and is measured in grams and kilograms at this level.
A reliable reasoning strategy
Choose grams for lighter objects and kilograms for heavier objects, then estimate before measuring.
Representations that should agree
Benchmarks such as a paper clip near a gram or a large textbook near a kilogram support sensible estimates. A correct model, equation, verbal explanation, or diagram should preserve the same quantities and relationships.
How to check the result
Check whether the answer fits the quantities, units, and structure of the problem. Use a second representation or inverse relationship when available, and explain what would make an answer unreasonable.
Interactive math lab
Change it. See what stays true.
Number Line Explorer
Move along the number line.
4 is one less. 5 and 6 is one more.
- build a model
- change one quantity
- predict before calculating
- explain why the result changes
Worked examples
Twenty different ways to see the concept work.
A classroom object has a mass of about 125 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
125 gGrams are suitable for many smaller objects; kilograms fit much heavier objects.
A classroom object has a mass of about 200 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
200 gGrams are suitable for many smaller objects; kilograms fit much heavier objects.
A classroom object has a mass of about 275 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
275 gGrams are suitable for many smaller objects; kilograms fit much heavier objects.
A classroom object has a mass of about 350 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
350 gGrams are suitable for many smaller objects; kilograms fit much heavier objects.
A classroom object has a mass of about 425 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
425 gGrams are suitable for many smaller objects; kilograms fit much heavier objects.
A classroom object has a mass of about 500 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
500 gGrams are suitable for many smaller objects; kilograms fit much heavier objects.
A classroom object has a mass of about 575 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
575 gGrams are suitable for many smaller objects; kilograms fit much heavier objects.
A classroom object has a mass of about 650 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
650 gGrams are suitable for many smaller objects; kilograms fit much heavier objects.
A classroom object has a mass of about 725 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
725 gGrams are suitable for many smaller objects; kilograms fit much heavier objects.
A classroom object has a mass of about 800 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
800 gGrams are suitable for many smaller objects; kilograms fit much heavier objects.
A classroom object has a mass of about 875 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
875 gGrams are suitable for many smaller objects; kilograms fit much heavier objects.
A classroom object has a mass of about 50 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
50 gGrams are suitable for many smaller objects; kilograms fit much heavier objects.
A classroom object has a mass of about 125 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
125 gGrams are suitable for many smaller objects; kilograms fit much heavier objects.
A classroom object has a mass of about 200 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
200 gGrams are suitable for many smaller objects; kilograms fit much heavier objects.
A classroom object has a mass of about 275 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
275 gGrams are suitable for many smaller objects; kilograms fit much heavier objects.
A classroom object has a mass of about 350 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
350 gGrams are suitable for many smaller objects; kilograms fit much heavier objects.
A classroom object has a mass of about 425 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
425 gGrams are suitable for many smaller objects; kilograms fit much heavier objects.
A classroom object has a mass of about 500 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
500 gGrams are suitable for many smaller objects; kilograms fit much heavier objects.
A classroom object has a mass of about 575 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
575 gGrams are suitable for many smaller objects; kilograms fit much heavier objects.
A classroom object has a mass of about 650 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
650 gGrams are suitable for many smaller objects; kilograms fit much heavier objects.
Practice
Guided practice with hints
01A classroom object has a mass of about 575 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Hint: Choose grams for lighter objects and kilograms for heavier objects, then estimate before measuring.
Answer: grams
02A classroom object has a mass of about 650 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Hint: Choose grams for lighter objects and kilograms for heavier objects, then estimate before measuring.
Answer: grams
03A classroom object has a mass of about 725 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Hint: Choose grams for lighter objects and kilograms for heavier objects, then estimate before measuring.
Answer: grams
04A classroom object has a mass of about 800 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Hint: Choose grams for lighter objects and kilograms for heavier objects, then estimate before measuring.
Answer: grams
05A classroom object has a mass of about 875 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Hint: Choose grams for lighter objects and kilograms for heavier objects, then estimate before measuring.
Answer: grams
06A classroom object has a mass of about 50 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Hint: Choose grams for lighter objects and kilograms for heavier objects, then estimate before measuring.
Answer: grams
Practice
Independent practice
01A classroom object has a mass of about 275 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Answer: grams
02A classroom object has a mass of about 350 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Answer: grams
03A classroom object has a mass of about 425 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Answer: grams
04A classroom object has a mass of about 500 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Answer: grams
05A classroom object has a mass of about 575 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Answer: grams
06A classroom object has a mass of about 650 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Answer: grams
07A classroom object has a mass of about 725 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Answer: grams
08A classroom object has a mass of about 800 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Answer: grams
Common mistakes
Learn to catch the error, not just the answer.
Compare the object with a familiar benchmark before selecting a unit.
Reconnect the answer to measure and estimate mass and verify that the model, calculation, and label describe the same quantity.
Applications & challenge
Use the idea beyond a single exercise.
Applications
- Estimate and compare the mass of classroom and household objects.
- Use measure and estimate mass to interpret or solve a Grade 3 situation with quantities, diagrams, measurements, or data.
Challenge problems
A classroom object has a mass of about 875 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
grams
A classroom object has a mass of about 50 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
grams
A classroom object has a mass of about 125 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
grams
A classroom object has a mass of about 200 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
grams
Flashcards
Retrieve it from memory.
Flashcards
Card 1 of 4
Game mode
Measure and Estimate Mass Challenge
Solve and explain Grade 3 problems involving measure and estimate mass without relying on answer guessing.
Practice
Mastery check
01A classroom object has a mass of about 575 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Answer: grams
02A classroom object has a mass of about 650 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Answer: grams
03A classroom object has a mass of about 725 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Answer: grams
04A classroom object has a mass of about 800 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Answer: grams
05A classroom object has a mass of about 875 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Answer: grams
06A classroom object has a mass of about 50 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Answer: grams
07A classroom object has a mass of about 125 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Answer: grams
08A classroom object has a mass of about 200 grams. Which unit is appropriate for recording this measurement?
Answer: grams
Terminology
Words to know
- gram
- A metric unit for relatively small masses.
- kilogram
- A metric unit equal to 1000 grams.
Continue learning
Connected concepts
Curriculum references
Standards and instructional references
California Common Core State Standards for Mathematics — Grade 3, 3.MD.2
Primary standards alignment for Measure and Estimate Mass.2023 Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools
Instructional emphasis on reasoning, representations, problem solving, and equitable access.