Weight and volume - Introduce weights and mass 2 - Starter

In the Year 1 curriculum for Spring Term, Week 10, Day 2, students are introduced to the concepts of weight and mass. The lesson begins with a 'Fluent in Four' revision exercise, where children practice their subtraction skills by solving simple problems such as '19 – 7' and 'Nineteen – double 6', which help to reinforce their arithmetic fluency. The lesson then transitions into a practical exploration of weight. Students are asked to compare objects and identify which one is heavier and which is lighter, using sentences like "The _______ is heavier/lighter than the ________" to articulate their findings.

During the lesson, children are presented with everyday items, such as an apple and a watermelon, and they use comparative language to describe the weight of these items. For example, they learn to make observations such as "The watermelon is heavier than the apple" and "The apple is lighter than the watermelon." Additionally, the lesson includes an activity where students must find and count sets that contain four items, enhancing their counting and grouping skills. The concept of height is also touched upon, with children determining who the shortest person is between two given names, Zach and Malachi, and explaining the reasoning behind their decision. This multifaceted approach to teaching weight, volume, and height helps young learners grasp these foundational concepts through engaging and interactive activities.