Mass in Action

Curriculum Area

Mathematics and Statistics – Level 1
Strand: Measurement
Achievement Objective:

• Measure and compare the masses of objects using informal and standard units (e.g., grams and kilograms).
• Apply measurement to practical situations in daily life (e.g., food preparation).

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Unit: Measuring Mass Fun!

Lesson 6 of 6 — “Mass in Real Life”
Duration: 30 minutes
Class Size: 9 students (Year 2)

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🌟 Lesson Overview

In this final (and exciting!) lesson of the unit, students will explore the real-world use of mass by preparing a simple recipe using kitchen scales. The focus is on the practical application of measurement knowledge learned in previous lessons. Students will weigh ingredients, follow a recipe card, and reflect on the importance of accuracy when using mass in daily life, such as cooking.

This lesson ties into numeracy capabilities and supports the Mathematics and Statistics strand in the New Zealand Curriculum. It also offers a tangible, sensory-rich experience, teaching maths through doing — aligned with best practice for Year 2 learners.

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🎯 Learning Intentions

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Use kitchen scales to measure different ingredients in grams.
• Follow a simple recipe requiring accurate measuring by mass.
• Understand the role of mass measurement in everyday tasks like cooking.

🌈 Key Competencies

• Thinking: Estimating and verifying measurements.
• Using language, symbols, and texts: Reading recipe cards and weight labels.
• Participating and contributing: Working together to prepare recipes.

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🧠 Prior Knowledge

Students have previously:

• Used balance scales and digital kitchen scales.
• Compared masses using informal units (e.g., counters, teddies, cubes).
• Practised reading mass in grams on digital scales.

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🧰 Resources

• Digital and balance kitchen scales (enough for 3 groups)
• Simple laminated recipe cards (e.g., “Make Your Own Bliss Balls”)
• Ingredients: oats, honey, cocoa powder, desiccated coconut (all nut-free)
• Plastic mixing bowls and utensils
• Aprons, gloves, and hand sanitiser
• Chart paper and pens for group reflections
• Visual timer

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⏱️ Lesson Breakdown

⏳ 0:00–0:05 – Welcome & Review

Activity: "Pass the Parcel: Measurement Edition"

• In a seated circle, students pass a small wrapped parcel while music plays.
• When the music stops, the student holding it unwraps a prompt question (e.g., “What tool do we use to measure mass?”, “How many grams are in 1 kilogram?”).
• This reactivates prior learning in a fun, movement-based way.

Teacher Prompt:
“Today, we're becoming chefs! We’ll use all our weighing knowledge to follow a recipe and make a delicious treat together.”

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⏳ 0:05–0:10 – The Role of Mass in Real Life

Mini-Discussion (with Props):

• Teacher displays a bag of flour, a small jar of honey, and a handful of oats.
• Ask: “Which ingredient is the heaviest? How do you know?”
• Show each item’s packaging mass label → introduce the term “net weight.”

Connect to Purpose:
“Chefs have to be careful when weighing ingredients. Too much or too little changes the recipe!”

Optional Te Reo Māori Connection:

• Introduce taimaha (mass/weight) and ine (to measure).

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⏳ 0:10–0:25 – Group Activity: Recipe Time!

Set up:
Divide the students into three mixed-ability groups (3 students per group).

Each group receives:

• A recipe card for “No-Bake Bliss Balls”
• Ingredients portioned in bulk
• Kitchen scale and bowl

Task:
Each group works together to:

1. Read through their card and identify ingredients and required mass.
2. Use the scale to accurately weigh and add each ingredient into the bowl.
3. Mix the ingredients, form balls, and place them on a tray.

Teacher Role:

• Circulate and question:
  “How many grams are you adding now?”
  “What happens if we add too much honey?”
• Remind students to zero the scale/tare before each new item.

Differentiation:

• For students needing extra support: Pair with a peer buddy, or provide visual scale guides (e.g., markers for 20g, 50g, 100g).
• Extension: If time permits, ask stronger students to create their own simple recipe using given ingredients and desired masses.

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⏳ 0:25–0:30 – Reflect & Taste

Group Discussion (with Chart Paper):
Each group reflects and records their answers to:

• “What did we learn about measuring today?”
• “Why is it important to measure accurately?”

Sharing Circle:
Students gather in a circle, taste their creations, and share one thing they enjoyed or found tricky about using mass in real life. Encourage Te Reo Māori praise: “Ka pai tō mahi!” (Good job!)

Teacher Wrap-Up Prompt:
“Where else do we use mass in real life? Let’s look out for scales at home and in shops!”

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📘 Assessment for Learning (AfL)

Informal Observation:

The teacher will note:

• Correct use of measuring tools.
• Communication and cooperation in weighing and mixing.
• Understanding of numeric values and their physical representations.

Student Voice:

Capture student reflections on chart paper to evidence learning.

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📌 Possible Follow-Up Learning

• Create a class recipe book using student-modified recipes with measurements.
• Incorporate weights and measurement into dramatic play (e.g., ‘pretend supermarket’).
• Invite a local baker or chef to talk about weighing and ingredients in real businesses.

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👩‍🏫 Teacher Notes

• Ensure all allergies and dietary requirements are accounted for in the recipe.
• Prepare surfaces in advance and ensure hygiene guidelines are followed.
• Integrate cross-curricular learning (e.g., writing up the recipe in Writing later in the day).

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🔁 Links to the New Zealand Curriculum

• Mathematics & Statistics, Level 1: Measurement – Use non-standard and standard units to measure and compare mass.
• Key Competencies: Participating and Contributing, Thinking
• Vision: Confident, connected, actively involved learners
• Values: Innovation, inquiry and curiosity; community and participation

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🎉 Ka pai, tamariki!

Let’s celebrate a rich, hands-on mathematics journey that shows how measurement comes alive through food, teamwork, and fun!