Balancing act
http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L166
A lesson plan for grades K–1 Mathematics
In this Illuminations lesson plan, students use mathematical models to represent and understand quantitative relationships. They are presented with pictures of pan balances with one or more objects in each pan. From these pictures, students discover relationships between and among the weights of the objects by comparing the balanced pans with those that are out of balance.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Mathematics (2004)
Grade 1
- Goal 2: Measurement - The learner will use non-standard units of measure and tell time.
- Objective 2.01: For given objects:
- Select an attribute (length, capacity, mass) to measure (use non-standard units).
- Develop strategies to estimate size.
- Compare, using appropriate language, with respect to the attribute selected.
- Objective 2.01: For given objects:
Kindergarten
- Goal 2: Measurement - The learner will explore concepts of measurement.
- Objective 2.01: Compare attributes of two objects using appropriate vocabulary (color, weight, height, width, length, texture).
