Measurement of Mass Basic Science Primary 3 First Term Lesson Notes Week 3

Basic Science Primary 3 First Term Lesson Notes Week 3

Subject: Basic Science

Class: Primary 3

Term: First Term

Week: 3

Age: 8 years

Topic: Measurement of Mass

Sub-topic: Meaning of Mass, Instruments of Measuring Mass, Standard Metric Units of Mass, Practical Demonstrations of Measuring Mass

Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioural Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Mention the methods of obtaining mass from their past experiences.
2. Explain the meaning of mass.
3. Describe various instruments for measuring mass.
4. Identify the metric units of measuring mass (g, kg).
5. Measure and record the weight of objects in the classroom.
6. Compare masses of objects and analyze reasons for differences in mass.

Keywords

• Mass
• Balance
• Scale
• Gram (g)
• Kilogram (kg)
• Weigh

Set Induction

The teacher will show a balance and a scale and ask the pupils what they think these tools are used for.

Entry Behaviour

Pupils have seen scales and other weighing tools in their everyday lives.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Balance
• Scale
• Objects of different masses (books, apples, etc.)

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

Discuss instances where pupils have weighed things at home or in school.

Embedded Core Skills

• Measurement
• Observation
• Comparison

Reference Books

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Basic Science Textbook for Primary 3

Instructional Materials

• Balance
• Scale
• Various objects for measuring mass

Content

1. Meaning of Mass

• Mass is the amount of matter in an object. It is the measure of how heavy or light something is

2. Instruments for Measuring Mass

• Balance: Used for measuring mass by comparing it with known masses.
• Scale: Used for measuring mass directly.

3. Standard Metric Units of Mass

• Gram (g): Used for measuring small masses.
• Kilogram (kg): 1000 grams make 1 kilogram.

4. Practical Demonstrations

• Measure the mass of an apple using a balance.
• Measure the mass of a book using a scale.

Evaluation Questions:

1. Mass is the amount of _____ in an object.
   a) space
   b) matter
   c) light
   d) color
2. A _____ is used to measure mass by comparing it with known masses.
   a) ruler
   b) balance
   c) tape
   d) pencil
3. A _____ is used to measure mass directly.
   a) ruler
   b) scale
   c) book
   d) table
4. The smallest metric unit of mass is the _____.
   a) gram (g)
   b) kilogram (kg)
   c) meter (m)
   d) liter (L)
5. One kilogram is equal to _____ grams.
   a) 100
   b) 500
   c) 1000
   d) 2000
6. We measure the mass of an apple using a _____.
   a) balance
   b) ruler
   c) book
   d) tape
7. The unit ‘kg’ stands for _____.
   a) gram
   b) meter
   c) kilogram
   d) liter
8. To measure the mass of a book, we use a _____.
   a) ruler
   b) scale
   c) pencil
   d) tape
9. The mass of a small object can be measured in _____.
   a) kilograms
   b) liters
   c) grams
   d) meters
10. A _____ is used to measure both small and large masses.
    a) ruler
    b) scale
    c) table
    d) book
11. The unit ‘g’ stands for _____.
    a) gram
    b) meter
    c) kilogram
    d) liter
12. We use a _____ to measure the mass of a bag of rice.
    a) ruler
    b) balance
    c) scale
    d) pencil
13. The mass of an object is measured in _____.
    a) grams and kilograms
    b) meters and centimeters
    c) liters and milliliters
    d) hours and minutes
14. A balance compares an object’s mass with _____.
    a) another object
    b) known masses
    c) a ruler
    d) a pencil
15. Mass is different from weight because weight includes _____.
    a) volume
    b) color
    c) gravity
    d) texture

Class Activity Discussion

1. What is mass?
   Mass is the amount of matter in an object.
2. What tool is used to measure mass by comparing it with known masses?
   A balance is used to measure mass by comparing it with known masses.
3. What tool is used to measure mass directly?
   A scale is used to measure mass directly.
4. What is the smallest metric unit of mass?
   The smallest metric unit of mass is the gram (g).
5. How many grams are in one kilogram?
   There are 1000 grams in one kilogram.
6. What does ‘kg’ stand for?
   ‘Kg’ stands for kilogram.
7. What does ‘g’ stand for?
   ‘G’ stands for gram.
8. How can we measure the mass of an apple?
   We can measure the mass of an apple using a balance.
9. What unit is used to measure small masses?
   Small masses are measured in grams (g).
10. What unit is used to measure larger masses?
    Larger masses are measured in kilograms (kg).
11. Can we use a ruler to measure mass?
    No, we use a balance or scale to measure mass.
12. What is the difference between mass and weight?
    Mass is the amount of matter in an object, while weight includes the force of gravity.
13. Why do we measure mass?
    We measure mass to know how much matter is in an object.
14. What tool can measure both small and large masses?
    A scale can measure both small and large masses.
15. How do we measure the mass of a book?
    We can use a scale to measure the mass of a book.

Presentation

Step 1: The teacher revises the previous topic which was the measurement of length.

Step 2: The teacher introduces the new topic by showing a balance and a scale, and explaining their uses.

Step 3: The teacher allows the pupils to give their own contributions and corrects them when and where necessary.

Teacher’s Activities

• Show and explain the use of balances and scales.
• Demonstrate measuring the mass of objects in the classroom.
• Ask questions to check understanding.

Learners’ Activities

• Answer questions.
• Participate in measuring objects.
• Record measurements.

Assessment

• Oral questions and answers.
• Practical measurement activities.

Evaluation Questions

1. What is mass?
2. What tool do we use to measure mass by comparing it with known masses?
3. What tool do we use to measure mass directly?
4. What is the smallest unit of mass?
5. How many grams are in one kilogram?
6. Measure the mass of an apple.
7. Measure the mass of your notebook.
8. Why might two objects have different masses?
9. What is heavier, a gram or a kilogram?
10. How can you use a balance to measure mass?

Conclusion

The teacher goes around to mark the pupils’ work and provides feedback.

More Useful Links

• Revision of Basic 2 work Basic Science Primary 3 First Term Lesson Notes Week 1
• Measurement of Length Basic Science Primary 3 First Term Lesson Notes Week 2