Farmer's Market Math: Weighing Fun!

Math Grades 1st Grade 10:17 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's visit a farmer's market and learn about weighing objects using pennies! We'll use a balance scale to see which fruits and veggies are heavier or lighter.

Video Resource

Grade 1: Math Lesson #39 Weighing Objects Using Nonstandard Units

The Eagle's Nest - Our Online Classroom

Duration: 10:17
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Weight
  • Balance Scale
  • Non-standard Units (Pennies)
  • Heavier and Lighter
  • Comparison

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to compare the weights of different objects.
  • Students will be able to use pennies as a non-standard unit to measure weight.
  • Students will be able to determine if an object is heavier or lighter than another object.
  • Students will be able to count to determine the weight of an item.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Welcome students and introduce the farmer's market theme. Explain that today, they will be learning about weight and how to use a balance scale. Briefly show a picture of a balance scale.
  • Video Viewing (10 mins)
    Play the YouTube video "Grade 1: Math Lesson #39 Weighing Objects Using Nonstandard Units." Encourage students to pay attention to how the teacher uses the balance scale and pennies to weigh the different items from the farmer's market.
  • Discussion (5 mins)
    After the video, ask students what they observed. What items did the teacher weigh? What did the teacher use to weigh the items? How did the teacher know when the scale was balanced?
  • Activity: Weighing Objects (15 mins)
    Provide students with a simple balance scale (if available, can be a DIY version using a hanger and cups) and a collection of small objects (e.g., pencils, erasers, small toys). Provide them with pennies (or other uniform small objects like blocks). Have them weigh the items using pennies and record their findings. Encourage them to compare the weights of the different objects.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the concepts of weight, heavier, and lighter. Ask students to share their findings from the weighing activity. Emphasize that the more pennies an object weighs, the heavier it is.

Interactive Exercises

  • Heavier or Lighter?
    Show students two objects and ask them to predict which one is heavier. Then, use a balance scale to check their predictions.
  • Weighing Station
    Set up a 'weighing station' with various objects and pennies. Have students work independently or in pairs to weigh the objects and record their findings on a worksheet.

Discussion Questions

  • What does it mean for something to be 'heavy'?
  • What does it mean for something to be 'light'?
  • How can we tell if something is heavier than something else?
  • Why do we need to use the same thing (like pennies) when we weigh things?

Skills Developed

  • Measurement
  • Comparison
  • Counting
  • Problem Solving
  • Observation

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What do we use to find out how heavy something is?

Correct Answer: A balance scale

Question 2:

If something weighs 10 pennies and something else weighs 5 pennies, which one is heavier?

Correct Answer: The one with 10 pennies

Question 3:

What did the video use to weigh the things?

Correct Answer: Pennies

Question 4:

Which of these is a tool we use to measure weight?

Correct Answer: Balance Scale

Question 5:

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

Correct Answer: It is heavier

Question 6:

Which of these is the lightest item?

Correct Answer: Egg

Question 7:

Which weighs more, 20 pennies or 10 pennies?

Correct Answer: 20 pennies

Question 8:

What is a balance scale used for?

Correct Answer: To measure how heavy things are

Question 9:

If something weighs more pennies, is it heavier or lighter?

Correct Answer: Heavier

Question 10:

Which of these is the heaviest item?

Correct Answer: Potato

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

We can use a ______ to see how heavy things are.

Correct Answer: scale

Question 2:

If something is heavier, it takes ______ pennies to balance the scale.

Correct Answer: more

Question 3:

The balance scale is straight when it is ___________.

Correct Answer: balanced

Question 4:

In the video, we used ___________ to weigh the food.

Correct Answer: pennies

Question 5:

A __________ is an item you can buy at the farmer's market.

Correct Answer: turnip

Question 6:

If something weighs less pennies, it is __________.

Correct Answer: lighter

Question 7:

An __________ is a red fruit.

Correct Answer: apple

Question 8:

The scale has two __________ where we can put things.

Correct Answer: sides

Question 9:

An __________ comes from a chicken.

Correct Answer: egg

Question 10:

If something weighs the same on both sides, the scale is ________.

Correct Answer: balanced

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.NBT.A.1:Count to 120, starting at any number less than 120. In this range, read and write numerals and represent a number of objects with a written numeral.

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