Have the students form two teams. Arrange the desks so that you have an even number of them. Print up sheets of paper for half of the available desks with customary units of measure listed on them. Print up additional sheets of paper for the remaining desks that match those first sets of measurements, but in a different way. For example, print one sheet with the words "1 gallon" on it, and another that reads "4 quarts." Lay the sheets randomly face down on the desks, then have a member from one of the teams go and look for matches. Every time ta student makes a match, have him remove both sheets of paper from the desk and award him a point. The game ends when all of the papers are removed.
Create several flash cards with customary units of measurement on them. Create a set of answer cards that matches them in a different form of measurement, such as "1 ton" and "2,000 pounds." Copy the matching set of answer cards so that every student has one. Have the students stand in a semi-circle around you. Show one of your flash cards and have the students search through their cards for the matching answers. Players who answer incorrectly sit down. Continue playing until you have a winner or have gone through the entire set of cards.
Set up several stations around the classroom. At some of the stations, place everyday objects, such as shoes or books, along with a yardstick. At other stations, put water in measuring cups of various sizes. At other stations, put various items such as a map with a certain length drawn on it, or measuring spoons filled with water or a powder such as cocoa or coffee. Create a worksheet that has a listing of all of the measurements that can be found at the stations and a corresponding list of measurements that match the measurements in the first column. Have the students go around and record what the measurements are of the items at the stations, then match them to the similar measurement in the other column.
Create a short story that has several fill-in-the-blank sections on the page. List two different styles of measurements next to the blank. Have the students circle the right answer. For example: "Mary was baking a cake and needed to have four _____ (cups, inches) of flour to make the batter." The students would correctly choose cups.