Mass, Capacity, Temperature - Introducing weight and mass - Presentation

The curriculum introduces the concepts of weight and mass through a series of engaging activities. Students are prompted to consider the practical applications of measuring weight by asking when they might need to measure the weight of objects, encouraging them to give three examples. The lesson progresses with discussions about the use of balance scales, where students learn to use terms such as 'heavier' and 'lighter' to compare objects. They are asked to interpret what it means when a balance scale is up, down, or level, which lays the foundation for understanding the principles of weight comparison.

Activities are designed to reinforce these concepts, prompting students to identify which of two objects is heavier or lighter and to articulate their observations using the comparative language introduced earlier. For example, they might say "The watermelon is heavier than the apple" or "The cube is heavier than the die." Students are also encouraged to act as human weighing scales and to use actual scales to verify their predictions. The lesson challenges common misconceptions, such as whether larger objects are always heavier than smaller ones, and includes reasoning exercises where students must explain their thinking. Independent work tasks require the use of descriptive language to discuss the weight of objects, and discussions are facilitated to deepen understanding and allow for the demonstration of learning through practical application.