Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Units of Measurement: Capacity and Mass

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Objectives stage aims to clearly establish what is expected for students to learn and be capable of doing by the end of the lesson. This section serves to guide both students and the teacher on the key points to be addressed in class, ensuring all involved are aligned with the learning goals. By defining specific objectives, it facilitates the assessment of progress and the success of the lesson.

Main Objectives:

1. Empower students to recognize and differentiate the main units of measurement for capacity (liter and milliliter) and mass (kilogram and gram), associating them with everyday situations.

2. Develop students' ability to identify and use the appropriate measuring instruments for capacity (scales and measuring cups) and mass (scales).

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage active participation from students through questions and discussions that promote critical thinking and practical application of knowledge.
2. Foster the use of appropriate mathematical vocabulary, reinforcing effective communication in the classroom.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The Introduction serves to engage students with the previously studied content, using problem situations that make them think and apply knowledge practically. Additionally, it contextualizes the importance of the topic in daily life, providing a connection between theory and reality, thus increasing interest and perceived relevance of the subject. This stage is crucial to prepare students for the practical activities that will follow.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine you are helping your grandmother prepare a cake, and the recipe calls for '2 liters of milk.' Your grandmother only has measuring cups. How can you know if the amount of milk is correct?

2. An astronaut needs to take food for a mission in space, but the weight allowed per item is very limited. He has packages of 500 grams of rice and 1 kilogram of beans. How many packages of rice can he take if the total weight cannot exceed 2 kilograms?

Contextualization

The units of measurement for capacity and mass are essential not only in academic contexts but also in daily life. From cooking a recipe to measuring the fuel of a vehicle, these measurements are used to ensure precision and effectiveness. For example, during the space race, every gram of matter transported into space needs to be meticulously calculated due to weight restrictions. These notions are fundamental for understanding and applying mathematical concepts in practical and real situations.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

The Development stage is designed to allow students to practically and interactively apply concepts of units of measurement for capacity and mass, as well as the use of measuring instruments. By working in groups and solving real or simulated problems, students are challenged to think critically, collaborate, and apply theoretical knowledge concretely. This approach not only reinforces learning but also develops social and teamwork skills.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - The Classroom Grocery Store

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply knowledge about units of measurement for capacity and mass in a practical shopping situation, reinforcing measurement and calculation skills.

- Description: Students will be divided into groups of up to 5 members. Each group will receive a shopping list containing various items with quantities in liters, milliliters, kilograms, and grams. The challenge is to 'go shopping' in the 'Classroom Grocery Store,' where ingredients and kitchen materials will be available to simulate a real purchase. Each group must correctly calculate and measure the quantities requested on the shopping list, using scales and measuring cups.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Give each group a shopping list with items and quantities in liters, milliliters, kilograms, and grams.

• Explain that they must find the ingredients in the 'Classroom Grocery Store' and measure the quantities correctly.

• Guide students on how to use the available measuring instruments, such as scales and measuring cups.

• At the end, each group must present their purchases, explaining the measuring process and the calculations made.

Activity 2 - Space Mission: Weight in Baggage

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop skills for calculating and measuring mass in situations that require precision and the application of mathematical knowledge in a practical and playful context.

- Description: Students, in groups, will take on the role of planners for a space mission. They will receive the challenge of calculating and distributing the weight of food and supplies, which are provided in packages of 500 grams and 1 kilogram. The goal is not to exceed the total weight allowed for takeoff. Students will conduct calculations and simulations, using scales to ensure the accuracy of measurements.

- Instructions:

• Organize students into groups of up to 5.

• Present the scenario: they are responsible for planning the luggage for a space mission.

• Distribute the supplies (500g and 1kg packages) and inform them of the maximum weight allowed for takeoff.

• Groups must calculate how many packages of each item they can carry without exceeding the total allowed weight.

• Use scales to check the measurements and correct if necessary.

Activity 3 - Junior Bakers

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Practice converting between units of measurement for capacity and mass, as well as developing basic culinary skills, such as following a recipe and using measuring instruments.

- Description: In this activity, student groups will become bakers, and their task is to prepare a cake recipe. They will receive ingredients and quantities in liters and grams, but the available tools will only be measuring cups and scales. Students will need to convert the measurements, calculate the correct quantities, and ultimately prepare the cake following the recipe.

- Instructions:

• Divide the classroom into groups of up to 5 students.

• Distribute the ingredients for the recipe and the measurements in liters and grams.

• Explain how to convert the measures and how to use measuring cups and scales.

• Students must calculate the correct quantities, prepare the cake batter, and put it in the oven.

• At the end, each group will present the cake and explain how they performed the conversions and measurements.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate students' learning, allowing them to reflect on what they have learned and how they applied knowledge in practical situations. The group discussion helps reinforce understanding of concepts and identify areas that may require further attention or practice. Additionally, it promotes communication and argumentation skills, essential for students' academic and personal development.

Group Discussion

To start the group discussion, the teacher can ask each group to share their experiences and discoveries during the activities. Suggest that each group answers questions such as: 'What were the biggest challenges you faced while making measurements?' and 'How did you apply the knowledge of units of measurement in practical situations?' Encourage students to discuss the different approaches used and what they learned from the mistakes and successes of their peers.

Key Questions

1. What are the differences between measuring capacity and measuring mass? How did this influence the activities you conducted?

2. How are the units of measurement for capacity and mass applied in daily life, beyond the situations we simulated today?

3. Could you share an example of when you needed to use these measurements outside of school and how it helped?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of the Conclusion stage is to reinforce learning, ensuring that students have consolidated the main concepts of the lesson. Additionally, it highlights the relevance of the content for daily life, encouraging students to perceive mathematics not only as a school subject but as an essential tool in their lives. This final reflection supports the process of internalizing knowledge, preparing students to apply what they have learned in new contexts and situations.

Summary

In this final phase of the lesson, the teacher should summarize and recap the main points discussed regarding the units of measurement for capacity and mass, emphasizing the differences between them and how they are applied in daily situations. It is important for students to revisit the practical activities carried out, such as the 'Classroom Grocery Store,' the 'Space Mission' simulation, and the cake preparation, to consolidate knowledge.

Theory Connection

Throughout the lesson, the connection between the theory studied at home and the practice in the classroom was established through playful and contextualized activities. Students could see directly how units of measurement are used in real situations, such as in the kitchen and in scientific projects, which facilitated understanding and retention of content.

Closing

Finally, it is crucial to highlight the importance of units of measurement for capacity and mass in everyday life. These notions are not just theoretical, but fundamental for the precise execution of daily tasks, such as cooking, planning trips, and even in professions that require precise measurements, such as engineering and medicine.