Expected level of development
Australian Curriculum Mathematics V9: AC9M1M01
Numeracy Progression: Understanding units of measurement: P2, P3
At this level, students are introduced to informal measurement by comparing objects and events directly and indirectly using attributes of length, mass, capacity and duration. They order these objects and events and communicate their reasoning.
Use direct comparison to order objects and events. For length and capacity this can be done by placing them next to each other, for mass we often use hefting to compare which feels lighter or heavier. For duration, start two events at the same time and observe which is completed first. Develop comparative language to describe the order including:
- length: longer, shorter, shortest, longest
- mass: heavier, lighter, lightest, heaviest
- capacity: holds more, holds less, holds least, holds the most
- duration: takes longer, takes shorter, takes the shortest, takes the longest.
Move from making direct comparisons of two objects or two events to three and then more. Note that this involves the transitivity principle; that if A is longer than B, and B is longer than C, then A is longer than C. Provide multiple exposures to develop this thinking which draws on attributes of length, mass, capacity and duration.
Use indirect methods to compare and order objects and events using an intermediary to compare to, for example, using a piece of string to compare the length of several objects.
Teaching and learning summary:
- Explore and compare the lengths, mass and capacities of several objects.
- Develop comparative language to describe order of objects and events.
- Connect informal measurement to personal experiences.
- Look for opportunities to explicitly teach students key ideas.
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Teaching strategies
A collection of evidence-based teaching strategies applicable to this topic. Note we have not included an exhaustive list and acknowledge that some strategies such as differentiation apply to all topics. The selected teaching strategies are suggested as particularly relevant, however you may decide to include other strategies as well.
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Explicit teaching
Explicit teaching is about making the learning intentions and success criteria clear, with the teacher using examples and working though problems, setting relevant learning tasks and checking student understanding and providing feedback.
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Mathematics investigation
By giving students meaningful problems to solve they are engaged and can apply their learning, thereby deepening their understanding.
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Concrete, Representational, Abstract (CRA model)
The CRA model is a three-phased approach where students move from concrete or virtual manipulatives, to making visual representations and on to using symbolic notation.
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Multiple exposures
Providing students with multiple opportunities within different contexts to practise skills and apply concepts allows them to consolidate and deepen their understanding.
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Teaching resources
A range of resources to support you to build your student's understanding of these concepts, their skills and procedures. The resources incorporate a variety of teaching strategies.
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Volume and capacity by direct comparison and use of units
Use this resource to investigate volume and capacity by direct comparison and use of informal units.
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Informal measurement - Level 1
In this sequence, students will learn how to make reasonable estimates with accurate vocabulary about length, mass and capacity.
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Early Stage 1, mathematics – Unit 03
Introduce students to the big idea ‘What you want to describe decides what unit of measure to use’ in this two-week unit.
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Teaching measurement: Early Stage 1
A teaching guide that brings together fundamental measurement ideas about length, area, volume and capacity and mass.
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Target Ball
Students use progressively more sophisticated measurement strategies to find the best ball and where to place the target to play a game.
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Assessment
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Which Tin?
Use this diagnostic task in the style of a one-on-one interview to assess a student’s knowledge and understanding of an object’s attributes and their use of comparative language.
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Summative assessment: Measuring length, mass and capacity
This is a summative assessment on measuring length, mass and capacity. Includes unit conversions, real-life problems and calculations for students.
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