Section 4: Working with weight
Key Focus Question: How can you teach the measurement of weight using practical methods and inexpensive resources?
Keywords: standard units; grams; kilograms; practical work; balances; extension; differentiation; groups; demonstration
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this section, you will have:
- helped pupils develop their understanding of weight by using practical activities;
- established pupils’ understanding of the need for and use of standard units for weight;
- explored different ways to organise your class.
Introduction
When exploring weight with pupils, it is important to use a lot of practical, hands-on activities in the early stages so that they are able to build up mental models that will help their understanding in later stages. In this section, you will plan ways to introduce your pupils to the concept of weight by following three stages:
- comparing weights of two or more objects by holding them at same time;
- estimating and measuring the weight of objects using non-standard units such as stones;
- measuring and comparing the weight of objects using standard units.
Central to this work is the use of simple balances that can be made from cheap and readily available materials (see Resource 1: Simple balance). For advice on collecting materials, see Key Resource: Being a resourceful teacher in challenging circumstances [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] .
Resource 5: Kano’s rainfall
