Mass and capacity - Compare mass - Planning

The lesson plan for Year 3 students during the summer term focuses on the concept of comparing mass in the subject of measurement, which includes mass, capacity, and temperature. The objective is to teach children how to compare the mass of two objects using comparison symbols such as '<' for 'less than' and '>' for 'more than', and also to order objects by their mass. The teaching resources provided include balance scales, objects of varying mass, comparison cards or post-it notes, worksheets, and a presentation. Key vocabulary terms such as 'object', 'mass', 'compare', 'scales', 'heavy', 'light', and 'equal' are introduced, with the aim of reinforcing their understanding through practical activities. Students are encouraged to engage with real balance scales and objects, predicting which items are heavier or lighter and using the scales to confirm their hypotheses.

The lesson activities involve interactive discussions and hands-on experiences with balance scales to identify which objects are heavier or lighter based on the position of the scale's arm. Students are asked to predict outcomes and then check their predictions against the actual balance of the objects, with the teacher addressing any misconceptions along the way. The lesson progresses to more complex tasks where students compare mass using visual representations on slides and differentiate between objects by describing their mass using the key vocabulary. Independent learning is supported by differentiated worksheets that cater to various levels of understanding, from working towards the expected level to achieving greater depth. The lesson ends with plenary activities that encourage reflection on what has been learned, the skills used, and the importance of not assuming that larger objects are always heavier, a common misconception among children at this stage of learning.