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Lesson 4 of 10
New
New
- Year 3
Understanding capacity and volume
I can understand and use capacity and volume.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Different containers have different capacities - they hold a different amount of liquid.
- We can use the scale on the measuring container to tell us the volume of liquid in the container.
- The volume of liquids in different containers can be compared using the scale.
Keywords
Capacity - Capacity is a measure of the maximum amount of liquid a container can hold when full. Capacity can be measured in millilitres.
Volume - Volume is the amount of space that an object takes up. In this case, the specific amount of liquid in a container.
Milliliitre - The millilitre is a metric measure of capacity or volume. A millilitre is a very small amount of liquid. The abbreviation is ml.
Common misconception
Confusion between the terms capacity and volume.
Capacity is the whole amount of liquid that a container can hold. Volume is the actual amount of liquid in the container.
Lesson practical where possible. Children need to experience containers that have different capacities and different volumes of liquids in them. Children need to get a good understanding of the difference between capacity and volume.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Look at the containers. Which container would hold more liquid?
Look at the containers. Which container would hold more liquid?
The glass would hold more liquid than the jug.
They would both hold the same amount of liquid.
Q2.Look at the containers. Container A would hold container B.
Look at the containers. Container A would hold container B.
less liquid than
Q3.Look at the number line. Identify the missing number.
Look at the number line. Identify the missing number.
Q4.Look at this sequence of numbers. Which number will come next?
Look at this sequence of numbers. Which number will come next?
Q5.Match the calculation to its answer.
Match the calculation to its answer.
200
400
600
700
300
Q6.Look at these containers. Tick the statements that are correct.
Look at these containers. Tick the statements that are correct.
The kettle holds less than the cup.
The grey bottle holds less than the grey bottle and less than the cup.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which jug has the greatest capacity?
Which jug has the greatest capacity?
Jug A has the greatest capacity.
Jug B has the greatest capacity.
Q2.Starting with the smallest, put these jugs in order of their capacity.
Starting with the smallest, put these jugs in order of their capacity.
Q3.Look at this container. Match the sentence stem to the appropriate measure.
Look at this container. Match the sentence stem to the appropriate measure.
1000 ml
600 ml
Q4.Starting with the container with the smallest volume of liquid, put these jugs in order.
Starting with the container with the smallest volume of liquid, put these jugs in order.
Q5.Look at these jugs. They are both filled to their capacity. The liquid from these jugs is poured into a third jug. What would be the total volume of liquid in that jug?
Look at these jugs. They are both filled to their capacity. The liquid from these jugs is poured into a third jug. What would be the total volume of liquid in that jug?
Q6.Look at these containers and the given volume of liquid that they contain. How much greater is the volume of liquid in the kettle than the cup?
Look at these containers and the given volume of liquid that they contain. How much greater is the volume of liquid in the kettle than the cup?
750 ml
550 ml