Mass and capacity - Compare mass - Presentation

In an engaging lesson focused on comparing mass, students are introduced to the concepts of mass and capacity through a series of activities that utilise everyday language such as 'more than', 'less than', and 'equal to'. The lesson begins with a discussion on how to determine which object is heavier by observing scales. Students are prompted to think about what it means when one side of a balance scale is lower or higher than the other, and what a level balance indicates about the mass of the objects being compared. Through visual aids and practical exercises, the lesson aims to deepen the understanding of mass comparison.

As part of the learning process, students engage with various hands-on activities that require them to compare masses using comparison symbols and descriptive language. For instance, they are tasked with deciding whether a Lego man weighs more or less than a feather, or if a book is heavier than a trainer. The activities are designed to challenge students' preconceptions, such as whether the largest object is always the heaviest, and encourage them to think critically about mass. Reasoning exercises further extend their comprehension, as they are asked to agree or disagree with statements about the mass of different objects and to justify their reasoning. This interactive approach to learning about mass and capacity is reinforced through independent work, where students apply their knowledge to new scenarios and reflect on their learning.