Heavier or Lighter? Exploring Weight with a Balance!

Math Grades 1st Grade 7:19 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's learn about weight by comparing objects using a balance scale! We'll find out which items are heavier and which are lighter, just like at a farmer's market.

Video Resource

Grade 1: Math Lesson #27 Identifying Lighter and Heavier Using a Balance

The Eagle's Nest - Our Online Classroom

Duration: 7:19
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Weight
  • Heavier
  • Lighter
  • Balance Scale
  • Comparison

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify heavier and lighter objects using a balance scale.
  • Students will be able to compare the weight of two objects.
  • Students will be able to use the terms 'heavier' and 'lighter' correctly.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they know about weight. What does it mean for something to be heavy or light? Show a picture of a balance scale and ask if they've ever seen one before. Explain that today, they'll be learning how to use a balance scale to compare the weight of different objects.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Play the YouTube video 'Grade 1: Math Lesson #27 Identifying Lighter and Heavier Using a Balance'. Encourage students to pay attention to how the teacher uses the balance scale and what happens when different objects are placed on each side.
  • Discussion (5 mins)
    After the video, discuss what they observed. What happened when the heavier object was placed on the scale? What happened when the lighter object was placed on the scale? Review the terms 'heavier' and 'lighter'.
  • Activity: Comparing Objects (10 mins)
    Divide students into small groups. Provide each group with a simple balance scale (if available, or create one using a hanger and two cups) and a collection of small objects (e.g., crayons, erasers, blocks, small toys). Have students use the balance scale to compare the weight of different pairs of objects and record their findings using drawings or simple sentences.
  • Wrap-up (3 mins)
    Review the concepts of heavier and lighter. Ask students to give examples of objects that are heavier or lighter than other objects. Reiterate that a balance scale helps us compare the weight of things.

Interactive Exercises

  • Classroom Weight Sort
    Gather a variety of classroom items. Have students take turns guessing which item is heavier or lighter before testing them on a balance scale. Categorize the items as 'heavier' or 'lighter' on a whiteboard or chart.
  • Home Scavenger Hunt
    As homework, have students find two objects at home and predict which is heavier. If they have access to a scale (kitchen or bathroom), they can test their prediction. They can draw their objects and label which one they think is heavier.

Discussion Questions

  • What does it mean for something to be heavy?
  • What does it mean for something to be light?
  • How does a balance scale help us compare the weight of things?
  • Can something big be lighter than something small? Why or why not?

Skills Developed

  • Observation
  • Comparison
  • Critical Thinking
  • Vocabulary Development
  • Data Recording

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which one is used to find out if things are heavy or light?

Correct Answer: A balance scale

Question 2:

If one side of the balance scale goes down, what does that mean?

Correct Answer: It is heavier

Question 3:

What word means something doesn't weigh much?

Correct Answer: Lighter

Question 4:

Which animal is heavier?

Correct Answer: A dog

Question 5:

If a book is on one side of the balance and a feather is on the other, which side will go down?

Correct Answer: The book

Question 6:

What is the scale if both side are the same?

Correct Answer: Balance

Question 7:

What does it mean if it is unbalanced?

Correct Answer: The side went down

Question 8:

What happens to the balance scale when something heavier is put on it?

Correct Answer: Goes down

Question 9:

Which one is lighter?

Correct Answer: Paper

Question 10:

How do you know what will happen to the balanced scale?

Correct Answer: The heavier side will go down

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The ________ side of the balance scale goes down.

Correct Answer: heavier

Question 2:

A feather is ________ than a rock.

Correct Answer: lighter

Question 3:

We use a ________ ________ to see if things are heavy or light.

Correct Answer: balance scale

Question 4:

The potato is ________ than the grape.

Correct Answer: heavier

Question 5:

If both sides are the same it is ________.

Correct Answer: balanced

Question 6:

Which is _______, the paper clip or the pencil?

Correct Answer: lighter

Question 7:

How do you know, use a _________.

Correct Answer: scale

Question 8:

What is being compaired on the scale, the ________.

Correct Answer: weight

Question 9:

The ________ is heavier then the pen.

Correct Answer: book

Question 10:

The term heavier and lighter discribe ________.

Correct Answer: weight

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.MD.A.1:Order three objects by length; compare the lengths of two objects indirectly by using a third object. CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A.1:Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem. CCSS.Math.Content.1.G.A.3:Partition circles and rectangles into two and four equal shares, describe the shares using the words halves, fourths, and quarters, and use the phrases half of, fourth of, and quarter of. Describe the whole as two of, or four of the shares. Understand for these examples that decomposing into more equal shares creates smaller shares.

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