Compare and order measurements of mass
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can compare and order measurements of mass.
Key learning points
- When the units are the same, you can compare masses in the same way as we compare 2-digit numbers.
- When the units are the same, you can order masses in the same way as we order 2-digit numbers.
- When the units are different, you can compare masses by looking at the unit rather than the numbers.
Keywords
Lighter - When one object has less mass than another, it is lighter.
Lightest - When an object has the least mass than all the others in a set, it is the lightest.
Heavier - When one object has more mass than another, it is heavier.
Heaviest - When an object has the greatest mass than all the others in a set, it is the heaviest.
Common misconception
Children often believe that the size of the item relates to its mass and that a larger item will always be heavier than a smaller item.
Explore examples where the larger item is lighter and the smaller item is heavier to address this misconception. For example, compare the mass of an inflated balloon with a stone, or an empty box with a small bag full of coins.
Teacher tip
Children will benefit from lots of practical opportunities to explore comparing and ordering mass using balance scales. In this lesson, children explore ordering sets of up to five measurements of mass. This number could be reduced to three or four if this suits the needs of the children better.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Mass is what we are measuring when we find out how __________ something is.
Q2.One gram is __________ one kilogram.
Q3.Which of these objects have the mass of about one gram?
Q4.Choose a sensible measurement. A rabbit has a mass of about __________.
Q5.The mass of this parcel is kilograms.
Q6.The mass of this packet is grams.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.We use a __________ to compare the mass of objects.
Q2.Compare the masses of the eraser and the pencil. The eraser is __________ the pencil.
Q3.The children are comparing the mass of a book, a pencil case and a bean bag. Match the parts of the sentence correctly.
the heaviest object.
the lightest object.
heavier than the beanbag but lighter than the book.
Q4.The objects have been ordered, starting with the lightest. Which statements are true?
Q5.Compare the masses. 7 g is __________ 7 kg.
Q6.Order the masses starting with the lightest.
To help you plan your 2 maths lesson on: Compare and order measurements of mass, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 2 maths lesson on: Compare and order measurements of mass, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 maths lessons from the Sense of measure - capacity, volume and mass unit, dive into the full primary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.