Students will investigate the relationship between size and mass over 3 lessons. Working in pairs, students will measure and record the mass of various objects, comparing their estimations to actual measurements. They will also research the mass of various animals and vehicles. Students will record their findings in tables and diagrams in their maths books, and present some of their findings to the class.

1. Unit Plan: Mass
Learning Area: Maths Duration of Activity: 3 x 45 min lessons
Topic: Mass Number of Students: whole class
Band: Primary Location: Class room, unit computers, outside
Specific Learning Outcomes:
Broad Outcome:
Essential Learnings:
Students will investigate the relationship between size and
mass. They will collect, analyse and record data, to answer
set questions and develop their own questions for further Futures
investigation. Students will use appropriate tables and Identity
diagrams to record and present this information. Students will
report some of their findings to the class. Interdependence
Thinking
Communication
Key Competencies:
KC1 Collecting, analysing & organising
Preparation / Organisation: information
KC2 Communicating ideas & information
Scales
Teacher / SSO support for sandpit supervision KC3 Planning & organising
Book unit computers if required KC4 Working with others in teams
Grouping activity if required
KC5 Solving problems
Curriculum Documents:
SACSA Framework
Proformas:
Teacher Resources: Blooms Taxonomy
De Bono’s 6 Thinking Hats
Elementary and Middle School Mathematics – Van De Walle
Thinkers Keys
Graphic Organisers
Questions Matrix
Assessment:
Classroom Resources:
Participation.
Set up area for scales to be used. Successful working within a small group.
Computer pool. Use of tables.
Use of diagrams.
Presentation.

2. Notes / Running Sheet
Lesson 1:
10 – 15 mins Introduce topic. Outline EXACTLY what is expected for presentation (tables etc).
Run through each section. Be explicit! Take your time. Explain that groups can
start with either the measuring or research sections. Information can be presented
in any order in their books as long as it is all there.
Remainder of lesson Begin project. Move between experiences to complete the activities outlined on the
handout.
Lesson 2 & 3: Continue investigations. Presentation of work. Class discussion. Findings.
NOTES
Scales and exploratory activities to be set up around the classroom or unit for each lesson. Students can
start with any learning experience they choose, and will work through the experiences in the set timelines
for the unit of work. Students may need to be told where to start to evenly place them between activities.
All recording should be done in draft form in each group member’s maths books and presented as a booklet
in pairs.

3. Mass
Working with a partner, investigate and record your answers to the
following questions. You will both need to record the answers in
your books.
Measuring
Using the 3 different scales available, measure 10 objects. Before you
measure the object, estimate how much you think each object will weigh.
Draw up a table to record your estimations and results.
Add up the mass of the objects to find out the total mass.
What is the difference between the heaviest and lightest objects?
What can you say about the size and mass of an object?
Make up a weight equivalent to 1 kilogram and 500 grams. Use this as a
guide to find three objects approximately equal to 1 kilogram and 500 grams.
Use the scales to weigh the objects and see how close you were. Record this
information in your book.
Research
Find the mass of the following:
Southern Right Whale Space Shuttle Titanic
Fairy Penguin Hopping Mouse Guinea Pig
How much did you weigh when you were born?
How much has your weight increased?
Find the answer to at least 2 mass questions you design yourselves.
Presentation
Your work needs to be neatly recorded in all group members’ maths books.
You will need to use appropriate tables and illustrations. You will also be
asked to share some of your findings with the class.