Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 2
Measurement: length, mass and capacity (Grade 2) – Week 3 focus
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Measurement: length, mass and capacity (Grade 2) – Week 3 focus
Download the Lessonotes Mobile South Africa app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Mathematics
Class: Grade 2
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 3
Theme: General lesson support
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This week, we dive deeper into the world of measurement! Measurement is all about understanding how long things are (length), how heavy things are (mass), and how much space they take up (capacity). Imagine you're helping your family bake vetkoek – you need to measure the flour (mass) and the water (capacity) correctly to make delicious vetkoek! Or, think about building a kraal for your goats – you need to measure the poles to make sure the kraal is the right size (length). Measurement is used every day in South Africa, from cooking traditional meals to building homes and planning gardens. It helps us understand the world around us and solve problems effectively.
2.1 Length: Length tells us how long something is. We can measure the length of many things like desks, books, pencils, and even the classroom! In Grade 2, we start by using non-standard units to measure length. This means we use things like our hands, feet, or pencils to see how many of those units fit along the length of an object. Why non-standard units? Using non-standard units helps us understand the concept of length before we introduce standard units like centimeters and meters. It lets us focus on the idea of comparing and measuring. How to measure length with non-standard units: Choose your unit: Pick something to use as your measuring unit, like a pencil.
Line it up: Place your unit along the object you want to measure, starting at one end.
Mark the end: Make a small mark where your unit ends.
Repeat: Move your unit to the mark and repeat until you reach the end of the object.
Count: Count how many units you used to cover the entire length of the object. This is the length of the object in that unit.
Example 1: Measuring a book with pencils. Let's say you want to measure the length of your "Life Skills" book using pencils. You lay pencils end-to-end along the book. You find that it takes 3 pencils to cover the entire length of the book. So, the book is 3 pencils long.
Example 2: Measuring the classroom rug with footsteps. You want to measure the length of the rug in your classroom using your footsteps. You walk heel-to-toe along the rug. You find that it takes 10 of your footsteps to cover the entire length of the rug. So, the rug is 10 footsteps long. Important
Note: Because everyone's hands, feet, and pencils are different sizes, the measurement will be different for different people. That's why we eventually use standard units! 2.2 Mass: Mass tells us how heavy something is. We can measure the mass of things like apples, books, and bags of mealie meal. Again, we'll start with non-standard units. How to measure mass with non-standard units: Choose your unit: Pick something to use as your measuring unit, like blocks or marbles.
Use a balance scale (optional): If you have a simple balance scale, place the object you want to measure on one side and start adding your chosen units to the other side until the scale balances. If you don't have a scale, you can estimate by holding the objects and comparing them.
Count: Count how many units you needed to balance the object or estimate that it is lighter or heavier than the units. This is the mass of the object in that unit.
Example 1: Measuring the mass of an apple with blocks. You place an apple on one side of a balance scale. You add blocks to the other side until the scale balances. You find that it takes 5 blocks to balance the apple. So, the apple has a mass of about 5 blocks.
Example 2: Comparing a book and a pencil. You hold a book in one hand and a pencil in the other. You can feel that the book is heavier than the pencil.
Therefore, the book has a larger mass than the pencil. 2.3 Capacity: Capacity tells us how much space something can hold. We can measure the capacity of containers like bottles, cups, and buckets. Again, we use non-standard units to start. How to measure capacity with non-standard units: Choose your unit: Pick something to use as your measuring unit, like a cup or a spoon.
Fill the container: Fill the smaller unit (cup or spoon) and pour it into the larger container you want to measure.
Repeat: Keep filling the unit and pouring it into the container until the container is full.
Count: Count how many units you used to fill the container. This is the capacity of the container in that unit.
Example 1: Measuring the capacity of a jug with cups. You want to find out how many cups of water can fit into a jug. You fill a cup with water and pour it into the jug. You repeat this process until the jug is full. You find that it takes 4 cups to fill the jug. So, the jug has a capacity of 4 cups.
Example 2: Measuring the capacity of a bottle with spoons. You want to find out how many spoons of juice can fit into a small bottle. You fill a spoon with juice and pour it into the bottle. You repeat this process until the bottle is full. You find that it takes 12 spoons to fill the bottle. So, the bottle has a capacity of 12 spoons. Guided Practice (With Solutions)
Question 1: Estimate and then measure the length of your desk using your hand span as the unit of measurement.
Solution: Estimate: "I think my desk is about 4 hand spans long." Measurement: Place your hand flat on the desk, with your fingers stretched out. Mark where your little finger ends. Place your thumb on that mark and stretch your hand again. Repeat until you reach the end of the desk. Count the number of hand spans.
Answer: "My desk is 5 hand spans long."
Commentary: Encourage learners to record their estimates before they measure. This helps them develop their estimation skills. Discuss why estimates might be different from the actual measurement.