Weight and volume - Introduce weights and mass 2 - Presentation

Introducing the concepts of weight and mass, this lesson series provides a foundational understanding for students on how to measure and compare the weight of various objects. The teaching slides encourage the use of comparative language, such as 'heavier' and 'lighter', to describe the mass of items. Students are prompted to think about real-life scenarios where measuring weight is necessary and are asked to provide examples. The lesson utilises balance scales as a visual and practical tool to demonstrate the relative weight of objects, encouraging students to predict which object is heavier or lighter and to verify their predictions using the scales.

Through a series of interactive activities, students are invited to engage in hands-on learning by holding two objects to estimate their weight before confirming their hypotheses with a balance scale. They are challenged to fill in the blanks in sentences to correctly compare the weight of items, such as a watermelon to an apple, or a cube to a die. These exercises help to dispel the common misconception that larger objects are always heavier than smaller ones. Students are also encouraged to reason and articulate their understanding, for instance by explaining why an apple might weigh more than a balloon, and to explore the concept that objects can have equal mass. The lesson aims to foster critical thinking and the practical application of measuring weight and mass in a classroom setting.