Spoonfuls, Cupfuls and Handfuls
In this unit we explore the use of non-standard units for measuring volume. We use bottles, cups, spoons and cubes to measure the volumes of objects. The unit is set out as a "stations" week, with five related but not linked activities.
use non-standard volume units (cups, spoons, bottles) to fill a container and count the number used
build with blocks and count the number of blocks used
compare and order volumes of containers using non-standard volume units
This series of activities is concerned with comparisons of volume using non-standard units such as cups, egg cups, beans and so on. As such it is an important forerunner to the introduction of standard units.
Historically this is the way that all units developed. Originally body lengths, such as the cubit, were used to measure cloth, for example. (The cubit is the length from the elbow to the end of the middle finger.) However, different people have different lengths for the parts of the body. So it was not uncommon for someone to use different people to measure the cloth depending on whether they were buying or selling. As a result, in order to stop cheating, it was eventually decided that uniform standard units should be used.
Station 1: Paintshop
In this station we use dye mixing to find out about different capacities.
- In a small jar give the students a few drops of dye.
- Have the students add a few spoonfuls of water and notice the colour of the dye. Have some students add more water. Ask the students how the colour has changed. Discuss the changes and conclude the more water that is added the lighter the colour.
- Start with fresh jars with a few drops of dye in them. Have different measuring devices; spoons, film canisters, small jars etc available. Ask the students to predict what is the smallest or biggest container of water and so will make the dye lightest or darkest in colour.
- Explore and discuss the results.
- Students could use the dye to colour over posters with their findings about what container holds the most water.
Station 2: Bean Baskets
In this station we make paper cones, measure their capacity with cups full of beans and order our containers from smallest to largest capacity.
- Ask the students to use paper and tape to construct a cone that will hold some beans.
- As they finish they need to measure how many cups of beans their container holds and record this on the side of the container.
- When all students in the group have finished they order their containers from the one that holds the least beans to the one that holds the most.
- Early finishers could have the challenge to see of they can make a container that holds exactly one cup of beans.
Station 3: Thirsty?
In this station we mix a drink for ourselves. We measure the drink powder and water.
- Provide the students with a recipe for a drink. For example, two teaspoons of drink powder and one cup of water mixed together.
- Have students measure the ingredients and mix them together to make themselves a drink.
Station 4: Making Models
In this station we use multi-link cubes to make a model of a building. We then compare models to see whose takes up the most space.
- Each child takes two handfuls of linking cubes and makes a model of a building with them.
- Each student then draws the model they have drawn.
- Students then compare whose model used the most cubes and takes up the most space
Whose model do you think takes up the most space?
How do you know?
How could we check?
Station 5: Do we have enough?
In this station we have a collection of bottles of drink. We have 5 people arriving for a party and we need to have one cup full of drink for each person. Which bottle should we buy? Students need to measure how many cupfuls of drink are in each bottle to find out.
- Students are given a variety of different sized drink bottles, approximately 8 bottles will be plenty. They are told 5 people are arriving for a party and they need one cup of drink each. Which bottle will have enough drink?
- Students measure the capacity of each bottle using cups of water. As they measure they need to keep a record of how much each one holds so they can compare at the end.
- Once all the measuring is complete, students compare the capacities of the bottles to see whether which bottle holds enough drink for 5 people.
This week we have been exploring the idea of measuring volume. We have used a variety of non-standard units (eggcups, cups, spoons and jugs) to compare the volumes of containers.
At home this week let your child help you measure ingredients when you are baking or cooking. Bath time is also a great opportunity for some more practice in finding the volume of containers. For example, how many eggcups does it take to fill a cup?
Similar Resources
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This unit is based around a series of activities in which students explore aspects of measurement using non standard units to answer a 'how many' question. They make predictions and work in pairs over 4 to 5 sessions.
Tricky Bags
This unit comprises 5 stations, which involve the students developing an awareness of the attributes of volume and mass. The focus is on the development of measuring language.
The stations may be taken as whole class activities or they may be set up as "centres" for the students to use. We expect that many 5 year-olds will already be aware of the attributes of volume and mass. For them these may be useful maintenance activities.
