Weight and volume - Measure mass - Planning

In the Year 1 curriculum focusing on weight and volume, the first week introduces young learners to the concept of measuring mass. The lesson plan outlines a structured approach, starting with a small step activity and moving through class teaching input to independent learning, concluding with a plenary session. The resources provided include differentiated worksheets, teaching slides, balances, and a selection of objects to weigh, alongside non-standard units such as cubes or bricks. The key vocabulary for this lesson includes terms like weight, mass, non-standard units, scale, balance, heavier than, and lighter than, with vocabulary cards and definitions available to support learning.

The lesson begins with a recap of previous learning, where students observe that a balanced scale can indicate the mass of an object using non-standard units. For instance, they might determine that one apple is equivalent in weight to a certain number of bricks. The practical activities encourage children to work in pairs, discussing and recording their findings, and using full sentences to articulate their understanding. They learn to balance objects against non-standard units and make statements about the mass equivalence. As the lesson progresses, children weigh various objects and compare the effectiveness of different non-standard units, developing their reasoning and problem-solving skills. The lesson addresses common misconceptions, such as the assumption that larger objects must be heavier. Finally, the 'Give me five' reflection helps students consolidate what they have learned and the skills they have used, ensuring they grasp the concept of using non-standard units to measure mass.