Weighty Problems
This unit comprises 6 stations which involve the students solving problems which involve applying and interpreting aspects of mass. In addition one of the stations introduces the concepts of net and gross mass. The stations may be taken as whole class activities of they may be set up as activities that groups of students use throughout the week.
select the appropriate standard unit of measurement for a specific application
measure masses with appropriate measuring devices
measure net and gross mass
This unit provides students with the opportunity to extend their understanding of units of mass by exploring these within the context of problems.
Station 1: A kilo of coins
You have won a prize which can be just one of the following:
1 kilogram of $1 coins
A metre long of $2 coins (lying flat and touching)
2 kilograms of 50c coins
What is your choice?
Station 2: Largest Lasagne
The largest lasagne was made for the Dublin Spring Show in Ireland.
It weighed 1637.3 kg and measured 15.24 m x 1.52 m.
How many people do you think it could feed?
Show how you arrived at your estimate.
Station 3: Weighing Tonnes
Konsihiki is the largest sumo wrestler in the world with a mass of 226 kg. How many Konishiki’s do you need to weigh a tonne!
Make a table of tonne weights using objects in the classroom. Remember that 1000 kg is a tonne.
|
Object |
Mass |
Number in a tonne |
|
Konsihiki |
226 kg |
|
Station 4: Jumbo facts
Find out facts about the mass of very large animals and make a report about these for the class. To get you started here are some facts about the African elephant.
The African elephant is the biggest animal on land. Fully grown the male can be 7 metres long, 3.2 metres tall at the shoulder and have a mass of 6500 kg. Its tusks can weigh as much as 100 kg each. The largest pair of tusks on record are in the British Museum and weigh 133 kg each. Facts can be found be seaching the internet, Wellington Zoo has information on animal sizes on www.wellingtonzoo.com
Ask students to:
compare animal weights to their own weights
what combination of animals could be equal to the elephant's weight?
If the zoo's scales could hold a tonne, what animals could go on them?
Station 5: Net and Gross Weights
Check the label of each can. What mass is stated on each?
Check the mass of each can on the scales. What did you find?
Open the can and measure the mass of the contents. What did you find?
What do you think that the terms net mass and gross mass mean?
Why do you think that packages state the net mass?
With a variety of cans and food items ask: What percentage of this item is packaging?
Station 6: Frank’s arms
Counting on Frank by Rod Clement (1990; Harper Collins Publishers: Sydney ) has some great ideas for measurement investigations. One of the ideas introduced in the story is about Frank carrying a trolley load of cans to the supermarket.
How heavy do you think his load is?
How many cans are you able to carry in a supermarket bag? How did you work this out?
Pose and solve two more of your own questions from this page.
Note: there are other activities associated with Counting on Fran at the following link:
Family and Whanau,
In class we have talked a lot about weight this week. In particular, we discovered that Konshiki, the largest Sumo wrestler, weighs 226 kg, and an elephant weighs 6500 kg.
Your child has been asked to look for other facts associated with weight by reading the newspaper or doing some reading on the internet. They should record what they find out and encourage them to discuss their findings with you.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| WeightyProblemscm1.pdf | 76.2 KB |
| WeightyProblemscm2.pdf | 65.19 KB |
| WeightyProblemscm3.pdf | 86.8 KB |
| WeightyProblemscm4.pdf | 52.27 KB |
| WeightyProblemscm5.pdf | 75.35 KB |
| WeightyProblemscm6.pdf | 70.42 KB |
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