Mass, Capacity, Temperature - Measure capacity - Planning

In this Year 2 lesson on measuring capacity, students are introduced to the concept of volume and the use of non-standard units such as cups and spoons to measure the capacity of various containers. The lesson begins with a starter activity where children recap their understanding that the unit of measure must remain consistent, and that containers must be filled to the brim to ensure accurate measurement. Students then engage in practical activities, using differentiated worksheets and teaching slides, where they measure the volume of liquids in containers, reinforcing the idea that volume can be expressed in terms of how many non-standard units it takes to fill a given container.

Throughout the lesson, students work both independently and in pairs to discuss their findings and to articulate their reasoning in complete sentences. They explore patterns in capacity measurement, such as predicting the number of cups needed to fill multiple buckets and verifying their predictions. The lesson also addresses common misconceptions, such as the importance of using containers with different shapes and sizes to understand that capacity is not solely dependent on the height of the container. The plenary includes a 'Give me five' reflection activity, where students consider what they've learned, the skills they've used, and what they found challenging. Differentiated tasks cater to varying levels of understanding, from counting cups for those working towards the expected level to using problem-solving skills for those at greater depth.