This week in Maths, Year 1 focused on weight and mass through a range of practical and engaging activities.
We began the week by talking about what a scale is and why we use it in everyday life. The children shared ideas such as using scales for cooking and baking, weighing fruit and vegetables at the shop, posting parcels, or weighing suitcases before going on holiday. We then introduced and explored key vocabulary including lighter, heavier, and balanced scale. The children were able to explain that a balanced scale shows two objects that weigh the same amount.
As the week continued, the children explored different ways of measuring weight, including using cubes as non-standard units. They carefully compared the weight of different classroom objects and discussed which items were heavier or lighter, justifying their answers. The children also compared weights using different scales and noticed how results could change depending on the objects being measured.
To end our topic, we used real-life scales to measure items from around the classroom. The children investigated balance scales used to compare two objects, kitchen scales commonly used for cooking and baking, and scales that could be used for weighing yourself or suitcases. These hands-on experiences encouraged lots of discussion, prediction, and problem-solving. The children loved exploring the equipment and it was fantastic to hear their thoughtful conversations as they confidently compared the mass of different objects.
