Design a wildlife sanctuary with this 5th-grade converting units of measurement math project. Students will practice multiplication as scaling and create line plots with fractions. They will solve measurement word problems using both the customary and metric systems. Additionally, they will read about endangered animals and learn more about wildlife sanctuaries. This resource is great for 5th-grade teachers who want to engage early finishers, challenge gifted and talented students independently, or complete a whole-class project at the end of a math unit about converting units of measurement.
 
What’s Included in This Math Enrichment Project?
✏️ PDF & Google Slides Link
Part 1: Multiplication as Scaling
Part 2: Converting Length Measurements
Part 3: Converting Liquid Measurements
Part 4: Converting Mass Measurements
Part 5: Fraction Line Plots
Reading Passages & Comprehension Questions
Creative Project: Design a T-Shirt
Answer Keys + Examples
 
Each section includes:
✅ Practice Pages – Reinforce metric and customary units of measurement through scaffolded instruction. Students can review the example strategy at the top of the page and solve increasingly difficult problems as they convert between different units.
✅ Apply Pages – Solve multi-step measurement word problems about real-world wildlife sanctuary scenarios. Students will understand multiplication as scaling and answer questions about line plots with fractions.
✅ Create Pages – Students design their own animal sanctuary with different elements to create and customize – like choosing which endangered animal species to help. Then, they solve math problems using their unique set of numbers.
 
Extras
Reading Passages - Consider sharing before beginning the math project to provide context for students who are less familiar with wildlife sanctuaries and endangered animals.
Creative Project: Design a T-Shirt for the Wildlife Sanctuary Gift Shop
 
This Independent Math Project is Perfect for:
✔️ Whole-class instruction (assign at the end of your customary or metric measurement unit).
✔️ Small groups or intervention (reinforce fraction line plots and multiplication as scaling).
✔️ Gifted students or early finishers (let them complete the full project at their own pace!).
 
✨Hear about this 5th Grade Project-Based Learning Resource from Educators Like You:✨
⭐️ “My students were so engaged in this project! They loved the real-world connections and having the freedom to design their animal sanctuary while practicing measurement conversions.”
⭐️ “This resource is designed with students in mind. The examples help them practice skills before applying them to their own wildlife sanctuary design. It’s a fabulous format!"
⭐️ “The digital slides are beautifully designed and easy to use. I didn't have to print a single page. Students completed this project over the course of a month whenever they finished math work early."
⭐️ “I used this as an end-of-unit enrichment activity, and it was a hit! The scaffolded practice helped build confidence, and the ‘Create’ pages allowed for student choice.”
⭐️ “This was the perfect challenge for my gifted students! They worked through each part independently and had so much fun applying math in a meaningful way.”
 
This engaging math project blends real-world problem-solving, student choice, and creativity—making measurement word problems more meaningful than ever!
 
Find answers to your questions about this Design a Wildlife Sanctuary Project:
✋ What materials will students need?
Students will use a pencil, coloring materials, and a centimeter ruler. Alternatively, they can complete the project on Google Slides.
✋ How long will it take to complete this project?
This project will likely last multiple days. There are 5 separate math sections as well as 2 extension activities (reading and design a t-shirt).
✋ Which grade will benefit the most from using this resource?
5th Grade - This project focuses on the following standards: CCSS.5.NF.B.5, MD.A.1, B.2