An estimate is a given value, number or quantity that is near to the true amount; it is a number close enough to the right answer.

Mass is a measure of how much matter something contains. It is measured by how much something weighs. Mass can be measured in g or kg.

Volume is the specific amount of liquid in a container. Volume can be measured in millilitres or litres.

Comparing and estimating mass and volume

Maths

In this unit pupils will become familiar with different weighing scales up to 1kg and with the tools to measure volume and capacity up to 1 litre. They will measure mass from zero above 1kg using whole kg and grams and measure volume from zero above 1 litre using whole litres and ml. In the future unit pupils will use knowledge of 1000 to explain common measure conversions and solve problems.

In the prior unit pupils used and compared standard units to estimate and measure length/height, mass, temperature, capacity to the nearest unit. In this unit pupils will use weighing scales up to 1kg and measuring tools for volume and capacity up to 1 litre. They will measure mass from 0 to above 1kg using whole kg and grams and measure volume from 0 to above 1 litre using whole litres and ml

Measures: mass and capacity

The could have, but we cannot be certain. 

Look at these two bags. They are the same size. Will they have the same mass?

Look at these bags. Which has the greater mass?

Look at these containers. Which has the greatest capacity?

The pebble's mass must be greater than 50 g.

The pebble's mass must be smaller than 50 g.

Andeep holds a pebble and compares its mass to the mass of a 50 g egg that he is holding. The pebble feels lighter than the egg. Which statement is true?

The mass of a toy car is smaller than the mass of a 50 g egg but greater than that of a 10 g pound coin. What could its mass be?

Using these clues, starting with the object with the smallest mass, put these objects in order.

Which of these would you use grams to measure?

The mass of the feather and car are the same.

Look at these objects. Which has the greater mass?

A glass holds 250 ml of water. Compare this volume to a volume of one litre. Which statement is true?

Starting with the smallest, put these containers in order of their capacity.

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Comparing and estimating mass and volume

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.