Weight and volume - Introduce weights and mass - Starter

In the context of a Year 1 mathematics lesson, the focus is on introducing the concepts of weight and mass, with a particular emphasis on fostering fluency in fundamental arithmetic skills. The 'Fluent in Four' revision segment of the lesson provides students with quickfire calculations designed to bolster their mental maths abilities. For example, they are tasked with solving problems such as finding half of 12 and then adding 7, or adding 8 to 9. These exercises are aimed at reinforcing basic addition and understanding of halving numbers, laying the groundwork for more complex mathematical concepts.

The lesson also incorporates language skills by asking students to complete a sentence comparing the height of two animals, using either 'taller' or 'shorter' to describe the relationship. This helps to integrate comparative vocabulary with measurement concepts. Additionally, the lesson includes a practical application question about quantity, prompting students to consider whether there are enough apples, which encourages them to think about counting and assessing groups of items. To further develop pattern recognition, the children are invited to continue a given pattern, enhancing their ability to identify and replicate sequences. These activities are designed to be interactive and engaging, ensuring that young learners can grasp these foundational skills in a fun and supportive environment.