L5 Measure Mass

Develop children’s understanding of mass with this practical Working Without Worksheets lesson for Year 1 Measurement. Designed for active classrooms, this hands-on lesson helps pupils explore, compare, and measure the mass of objects using non-standard units —all without a single worksheet. The lesson begins with a prediction starter where children handle two objects (e.g. a book and an apple) and decide which is heavier or lighter. Using real balance scales, pupils recap how to compare mass, learning that the heavier object goes down and the lighter object goes up. During the teacher-led introduction, children observe how balance scales can be used to measure mass accurately. Using cubes as non-standard units, pupils discover how to balance an object by adding cubes until both sides are equal, discussing what this shows about weight and equality. In the main activity, pupils use balance scales, classroom objects, and cubes to measure mass practically. They record their findings directly into their maths books (e.g. Pencil – 5 cubes ), developing both mathematical understanding and neat recording habits. The plenary reinforces reasoning and comparison as pupils identify the heaviest and lightest objects from images of balance scales, explaining how they know using the number of cubes. What’s Included in the Pack? ✔ Full teacher planning with objectives, activities, and plenary guidance ✔ Starter: predict which object is heavier or lighter using balance scales ✔ Vocabulary focus: mass, heavier, lighter, balance, equal, scales ✔ Teacher modelling: measure mass using non-standard units (cubes) ✔ Practical task: children measure and record the mass of classroom objects ✔ Independent activity: record results in maths books (e.g. apple – 6 cubes) ✔ Plenary: compare balanced scales and identify heaviest/lightest objects ✔ No worksheets—children record directly in their books Why Teachers Love This Resource: ✔ Makes measuring mass meaningful and engaging through hands-o