Curated OER
Sand Babies
An engaging lesson which has elementary learners measure weight to the nearest pound and construct and interpret a bar graph! They measure length using non-standard units and determine area using square tiles. Pupils round their birth...
Curated OER
Measuring Temperatures
Fourth graders participate in a teacher-led discussion about temperature--hot and cold. Each group of students is assigned specific materials for their lab experiment. They record temperatures measured in their journals and then plot...
Curated OER
"Weighing the Elephant"
Can your class solve the problem presented in the Chinese folktale, "Weighing the Elephant?" Read your class the description before having them attempt to solve the problem. After they've come up with an answer (or attempted to!), finish...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
A Question of Balance
It's a neat idea, but the task of designing a system for filling jars with consistent specific amounts of a product may be a little out of reach, especially for younger pupils. Intended as an engineering design lesson plan, this may be...
Curated OER
Scale Matters
Third graders study the meaning of the digits an any whole numbers with up to 3 decimal places. They order decimals with up to 3 decimal places and perform measuring tasks, using a range of units and scales.
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Lesson-Mass and Weight
Student identify the three stationary positions, on the Earth, on the Moon, and in a house floating atop the cloud layers of Jupiter. They also identify the three orbiting positions, orbiting the Earth, orbiting the Moon, and orbiting...
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Masses and Weights
Students explore the concept of weight and mass and the importance of units. Using a balance, they determine the weight of various objects in the unit of "pebbles" and in grams.
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Scaling Our School
Fourth graders practice estimating the length and height of buildings at their school. They then compare their estimations with the actual heights or lengths. Each student then builds a scale model using ratio to translate the "real"...
Curated OER
How Can You Measure This?
Third graders work in small groups to complete a number of investigations in which they have to use measurement. They determine the fractional part of the newspaper that is used for news, sports, etc. They compare their height to their...
Curated OER
Guess Your Best
Students discuss situations when it is useful to know exact weight of object as opposed to estimated weight, estimate weight of various items, weigh them on scale using ounces and pounds, and compare their weights on Guess Your Best...
Curated OER
Measuring Ourselves
Fifth graders conduct various measurement activities on themselves and a partner. They measure their height, weight, thumb-to-pinky span, and body temperature, recording the information in the form of an Excel spreadsheet.
Curated OER
A Mass of Pennies
Learners estimate and determine the number of cents (pennies) that are needed to equal the mass of a variety of common objects. They develop a process for measuring and explore concepts related to units of measurement.
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Target Earth
Space scientists use water displacement to determine the mass of a cubic centimeter mini meteorite, and then use it as a small-scale representative of an asteroid. They figure out the orbital velocity of an asteroid. Then they use a...
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The Ups and Downs of Weight and Mass
Students explore the concept of mass, and how it differs from weight. They also calculate their weight change as they ride up and down on an elevator. They record the changes in their weight as the elevator moves
graph the collected data.
Curated OER
Sum of the Parts
Fifth graders build objects using various materials. They estimate the weight of the object using individual building pieces. Then they weigh the actual object and then tear it apart and weigh the pieces. They compare the two weights.
Curated OER
More Bait for Your Buck!
Students determine where to buy the heaviest earthworms as they study invertebrates. They create a double bar graph of the results of the weight data.
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Weightlessness
Pupils compare and contrast the terms "weight" and "mass". For this physics lesson, students observe an experiment in which objects are placed on a balance scale and weighed under different circumstances. Partners drop items and observe...
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Mass vs. Weight
Students explore physical science by conducting a measurement experiment. In this mass lesson, students identify the differences between mass and weight and define a list of other vocabulary terms. Students utilize electronic scales and...
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Boxes, Bottles, and Mugs
For this balancing a scale worksheet, 3rd graders study and analyze a set of scales and determine how many mugs would be needed to balance the last scale in each set.
Curated OER
NickNews: Winners and Losers
Students view the excerpt from NickNews entitled, "Winners and Losers." In groups, they categorize a variety of words and images relating to weight, healthy eating, and healthy lifestyle. They discuss adopting positive eating habits,...
Curated OER
Beyahh!!!!!!! Measurement Word Search Puzzle
In this measurement word search puzzle worksheet, students locate 10 words that are included in a word bank at the bottom of the page. They find words such as length, weight, volume, and weight.
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Pumpkin Seed Experiment
In this unique lesson students participate in a pumpkin seed experiment. Students interact with the pumpkins weight, seeds and record their findings of what lies within the pumpkin once the top of the pumpkin is cut off for observations....
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Making It Balance
Students listen to story, "The 100-Pound Problem," compare their weight with character in story, and weigh different classroom items using nonstandard units and standard units. They experiment with different items that can make scale...
Curated OER
One Size Fits All?
Students describe the differences between an estimate and a guess. They create reasonable estimates based on comparison and activities. Students explain how estimation is helpful in showing the relative size on a scale. They also...