Let's make the bags tricky!
One of the main skills children need to master in the early stages of learning about mass is the ability to compare and order objects in accordance to their mass and reason by using appropriate descriptive language (e.g. heavier, lighter, heaviest and lightest). This can be developed through practical experiences of picking up and hefting objects, and by communicating how they have reached their conclusion.
In this activity, children are challenged to compare and order identical supermarket bags filled with different masses by hefting.
Materials
· 3 identical supermarket bags per each pair
· Blindfolds
· Balance scales
Activity
Working in pairs, children are asked to choose and place objects from the classroom in their three supermarket bags.
Once each pair has filled their three bags, another pair of children (blindfolded) are challenged to order the bags by hefting.
Where the bags are similar in mass and therefore its ‘tricky’ to reach an agreement, use a balance scale for further comparison.
Enabling Prompt
Can you compare and order two bags by hefting?
Extension
Have the children make their bags ‘trickier’ for the other pair by making the bags similar in mass.
21st Century Skills Developed:
Critical thinking
Comparing and ordering the bags activates critical thinking as students are required to analyse and evaluate the masses to determine which bag is heavier and which bag is lighter.
Creativity
Students need to think creatively when filling their bags so their bags are tricky to compare.
Communication
When challenged to compare and order the bags, students are required to articulate the reasoning for their conclusion.
Collaboration
Students work in pairs to fill and make their bags tricky for the other pair to order the bags.