Measurement Unit

In January, we began our measurement unit in math. We have learned about weight, capacity, and height so far.

Weight

To begin thinking about weight and what it is we read the book Weight by Marh Counts. 

We learned that when weighing objects we can use scales. Students chose different objects to weigh and compare on the balance. We used the vocabulary words of heavier, lighter, equal to tell about the objects. We passed around different objects for students to feel and think about their weight. We then "weighed" the objects. We found out a block weighs more than a package of M&Ms.

 We found out a can of play-doh was heavier than a marker.

The next day we used a form of nonstandard measurement (bears) to tell how much different objects weighed. We put an object in one side and filled the other side up with bears until both sides were equal.

Then, once the 2 sides were equal we counted the bears to see how much the object "weighed".

We compared the objects and discussed which one weighed more/less and why!

Capacity

To learn about capacity we read Capacity by Matt Counts. 

We learned that capacity is the empty space inside an object. We looked at different containers and talked about their capacities. We chose 3 objects to focus on- a bucket, a coffee mug, a bottle top.

We filled the containers up with bears and compared them, looking at not only the size of the object, but also the amount of bears there were when we poured them out. 

Height

To begin learning about height we read the book Sizes by Math Counts and  lined ourselves up from shortest to tallest.

 We compared pictures of objects using the vocabulary words- shorter, taller, equal. We used another form of nonstandard measurement (cubes) to measure different object's heights. We filled in a recording sheet to match.