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Maths

Balance and Compare Weight

Overview

Children explore which objects are heavier or lighter.

Learning Objective
Children compare weights using simple balance tools.

Resources needed

  • Simple balance (or hanging container)
  • Objects of different weights

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Place one object on each side of a balance.
  2. 2 Observe which side goes down.
  3. 3 Ask: 'Which is heavier? Which is lighter?'
  4. 4 Try different objects.
  5. 5 Ask children to predict before testing.
  6. 6 Compare several objects.
  7. 7 Discuss what they notice.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Use more than two objects
  • Order objects from lightest to heaviest
  • Estimate before testing
More information

Use hand gestures to show heavy (push down) and light (lift up) before using the balance.

A simple balance can be made from a stick and two hanging bags or containers.

Do children predict correctly before testing? Can they explain why one side went down?

Make a simple balance by tying two equal containers to the ends of a stick laid across a fulcrum (a stone or log). No commercial scales needed.

Children often think bigger objects are always heavier. Challenge this with a large light object (e.g. a dry leaf) versus a small heavy one (e.g. a stone) and discuss the results.

Activity details
Early Years Medium 15–20 minutes 5 minutes prep Small Group Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Weight Comparing