Weighing scale: Maths Tools Teachers’ Notes

Key Stage One: Task One

Learning objective: Compare, describe and solve problems for mass/weight.

What to do

• Use the options icon to set the analogue scale to show numbers, max weight 5kg and sub-divisions 10. Click OK. The digital scale should also be set to ‘on’ at the base of the weighing scales.
• Ask the child first to estimate what they think is the weight of each of the objects shown in the cupboard. Which do they think weighs the most? Which do they think weighs the least? Which two objects might have about the same weight?
• Then ask them to weigh each of the items by using the mouse to drag/drop the item from the cupboard on to the scale pan.
• They should record the results as accurately as they can using both the analogue scale shown and also the digital weight recorded. Point out they should ignore the decimal point on the digital reading at the moment so that their answer is given in grams.
• How close were their estimates to the actual weight? The child should then put the objects in order of weight, smallest first, and, if possible, record the weight in both kilograms and grams and in grams.
• Try and make available several other different types of weighing scales, both analogue and digital so that children get used to using them and interpreting the different scales being used.