Educational Songs with Free Worksheets
The Standard System
A rap song for teaching the standard system. Use music to learn how to convert feet, inches, cups, and ounces.
This song presents the standard system of measurement and explains how to convert feet to inches to yards to miles, and ounces to pounds to tons. It uses real life examples to illustrate conversions. The teaching materials, including worksheets, activities and games, are resources for teachers and homeschool parents to create lesson plans for the song topic. Students will have a better understanding of the standard system of measurement and how to convert to larger or smaller units.
This song is suitable for elementary, middle school and high school students.
It’s the standard system
Manipulating measurements, take ‘em, twist ‘em (×3)
It’s the standard system, no doubt, for sure
Units of conversion no less no more
If 12 inches make a foot and 3 feet make a yard
How many inches in a yard? (Man that’s kinda hard.)
Nope it’s not really it’s just 12 × 3
36 inches: one yard exactly
1760 yards in a mile
Trust me, no need to count ‘cause that could take a while
A mile is 5280 feet, that’s right
We’re talking length with strength over the beat
If 2 cups make a pint and 2 pints make a quart
How many cups in a quart? (That would be 4.)
If 4 quarts make a gallon and 4 cups are in a quart
How many cups in a gallon? (Man that’s a challenge!)
Maybe so, but it’s just 4 × 4
16 cups in a gallon for sure
That’s 8 pints, no less no more
4 quarts, one gallon, let’s settle the score
So there’s 16 ounces in a pound
And 2000 pounds in a ton
Now imagine a 10-pound cat on the ground
Who loves to lounge in the sun
What is the weight of the cat in ounces? (That’s tough!)
Maybe but that’s the way the ball bounces.
16 ounces multiplied by 10 pounds
(160 ounces, how does that sound?)
You look confused, you just need more practice
To keep all your math skills sharp like a cactus
Here’s another one, you’re almost done
A 4000 pound car is how many tons?
4000 pounds is 2 tons exactly
(That’s a heavy car, is it a truck or a taxi?)
2 tons is right, you’re really coming along
Learn the standard system by learning this song
Now, suppose you’ve got an area of 1 square foot
How many square inches would you have in that area?
Calm down, no need to cause mass hysteria
I didn’t know that units of conversion were scarin’ ya
(1 square foot is a 1 × 1 square.)
Now transfer that to inches and do it with care
(12 inches squared is 144.)
That’s 1 square foot no less no more
Try to visualize what the problem is asking
That’s a math skill for life, long and everlasting
Paint a picture with your mind, create a visual image
And memorize this song from the start to the finish
This site has all kinds of tables and information that is a good base to start teaching from. There are some games and activities too. Easy to navigate and full of good stuff.
Math Chart: Metric Conversions
This table features measurement conversions from U.S. to Metric, and Metric to U.S. Useful for classroom or individual study.
This website will help students with any conversions they need to make.
Math Is Fun
Measuring with Maggie: Introduction to US Standard Units
This site directs students through the basics of the standard system. Colorful and easy to navigate, this is a great place for younger students or as an introductory lesson.
Measure the Teddy Bear
This cute measuring game is for the very young student. Fun and a good way to teach how to measure length if you need a group activity or lesson.
A Metric World
This lesson plan teaches students how to convert metric measurements into the standard system, and challenges students to think about how measurements are used in our daily lives. A good activity that can be done as a class or in small groups.
This fun game tests students’ knowledge of both metric and standard systems. It is a timed quiz and great fun for a class, buddies or individuals to play. Good information, requiring some knowledge.