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Measuring mass and weight

Measure and begin to record mass/weight using non-standard and standard units

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What a learner can do afterwards

  • Use a balance to compare masses of two objects
  • Measure mass using non-standard units (e.g. 'this book weighs 5 cubes')
  • Begin to read a simple scale for mass

The lesson

A balance has two sides, like a seesaw. Put one object on each side. The heavier side goes down. The lighter side goes up.

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The apple balances 3 cubes. The book balances 5 cubes. The book is heavier.
Try it together

Leo weighs a toy car on a scale. The arrow points to 100. The toy car weighs 100 grams.

Toy car100
Good to know

Read the scale slowly. Find the number the arrow points to. That number is the weight.

A balance shows what is heavier. A scale gives you a number for the weight.

Watch it

Where it sits

Where this leads

Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.

Then practise

8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.

Measuring mass and weight · Mathematics, ages 5 to 6 · LightMySky