Mass and capacity - Compare mass 2 - Planning

In this Year 3 lesson, students delve into the concept of mass, comparing different objects using kilograms and grams. The lesson begins with a review of previous knowledge where students recall the terms 'lighter' and 'heavier' and understand that kilograms are typically used for heavier items. This foundational knowledge sets the stage for a series of activities where students practice comparing mass. The first activity asks students to compare the mass of apples and pineapples, using key vocabulary and encouraging discussion with a partner to determine which item is heavier or lighter. The second activity introduces the mathematical comparison symbols (greater than, less than, and equal to) and has students apply these symbols to compare the mass of object pairs.

The lesson progresses with a scenario-based activity where students draw arrows on scales to represent the mass of items such as a pack of carrots and cartons of orange juice, fostering an understanding of weight representation. Further reasoning exercises challenge students to match masses to statements made by characters about weighing potatoes and flour. These activities aim to help students identify objects with equivalent measures and compare pairs of objects with different masses. The lesson concludes with differentiated worksheets for independent learning and a 'Give me five' reflection exercise that encourages students to consider what they've learned, the skills they've used, and any challenges faced. This structured approach caters to varying levels of proficiency, from working towards understanding to achieving greater depth in comparing mass.