Weight and volume - Introducing capacity and volume - Planning

In the second week of spring term, Year 1 students embark on a journey to discover the concepts of capacity and volume. The National Curriculum objectives set the stage for children to measure and begin to record these two aspects. The lesson is rich with key vocabulary such as 'capacity', 'volume', 'full', 'empty', and 'half', among others, which are crucial in describing the quantity of liquid a container can hold. To make the learning process interactive, the lesson utilises a variety of resources like a teaching presentation, mini whiteboards, and measuring equipment including jugs and cups. Children are encouraged to actively participate by discussing measurement forms they know, comparing capacities, and drawing representations of different levels of fullness on their whiteboards. This hands-on approach aims to clarify the difference between capacity and volume and to solidify their understanding through practical experimentation.

The lesson is structured to address common misconceptions, such as the confusion between capacity and volume, and to emphasise accurate measuring techniques. To facilitate this, the 'Would you rather...' reasoning games are introduced, prompting students to hypothesise and test which tools are more efficient for filling a container. This practical work is tailored to different levels of understanding, from simply testing the speed of filling containers to evaluating the accuracy of different measuring implements. As the lesson concludes, children reflect on what they have learned about capacity and volume, the skills they have applied, and the importance of accurate measurement. The lesson plan is designed to be both educational and engaging, ensuring that the concepts of capacity and volume are understood in a fun and interactive manner.