Mass and capacity - Measure capacity activity - Presentation

Today's lesson is an engaging exploration of measuring capacity, tailored for students to deepen their understanding of the concept. Capacity is defined as the amount a container can hold when it is full, whether it's a bucket that holds 2 litres of liquid, a stadium with a seating capacity for 50,000 people, or a punnet designed to contain 24 strawberries. The lesson includes a variety of activities where students must discern the capacity of different objects and understand that capacity remains constant regardless of the current contents. For example, even if one strawberry is removed from a punnet, the capacity of the punnet remains at 24 strawberries. The lesson also distinguishes between capacity and volume, emphasizing that volume refers to the actual amount of substance currently in the container, while capacity refers to the potential maximum.

Practical activities further illustrate how to measure capacity. For instance, Malachi compares the capacity of two containers using jugs of water to determine which one can hold more, while Tia uses teaspoons to measure the capacity of smaller containers like a teacup and a bowl. Through these activities, students learn that different methods may be required to measure capacity accurately, depending on the size of the container. The lesson encourages students to predict the capacity of various containers and verify their predictions using a measuring jug. In conclusion, the lesson prompts a discussion about the nature of capacity, the differences between capacity and volume, and the appropriate tools to use for measuring capacity effectively, such as whether a measuring jug can be used for smaller containers and how to do so.