LESSON PLAN: Capacity

Dear Teacher

I hope that the following lesson description will help to improve your teaching strategy in your

classroom. It was particularly designed with you the teacher in mind. The methods used are fun,

easy and cost effective. I hope you will find it useful and apply the methodology with a positive

and enthusiastic approach.

Before we can begin any lesson we must understand the following:

What is Mathematics?

Mathematics is a language that makes use of symbols and notations for describing numerical,

geometric and graphical relationships. It is a human activity that involves observing, representing

and investigating patterns and qualitative relationships in physical and social phenomena and

between mathematical objects themselves. It helps to develop mental processes that enhance logical

and critical thinking, accuracy and problem-solving that will contribute to decision-making.

(quoted from the CAPS document)

Every Mathematics lesson should be hour 24 minutes per day for Grades 1 to 3.

Specific Skills

To develop essential mathematical skills the learner should:

• develop the correct use of the language of Mathematics;

• develop number vocabulary, number concept and calculation and application skills;

• learn to listen, communicate, think, reason logically and apply the mathematical knowledge

gained;

• learn to investigate, analyse, represent and interpret information( quoted from the CAPS document)

Subject Mathematics

Content Area Measurement

Topic Capacity/ Volume

Concept Estimate and measure, compare and order the capacity of containers

by using standard measures e.g. spoons and cups.

Describe the capacity of the container by counting and stating how

many of the informal units it takes to fill the container e.g. the bottles

has the capacity of four cups.

Educator Bronwen Fawkes

School Irene Primary School

Grade 3

Weighting and Time allocation of Content Areas in

Foundation Phase

Weighting per Content Area Time

Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Time per week

Numbers,

Operations and

Relationships*

65% 60% 58% 120 minutes

Patterns,

Functions and

Algebra

10% 10% 10% 80 minutes

Space and Shape

(Geometry)

11% 13% 13% 80 minutes

Measurement 9% 12% 14% 80 minutes

Data Handling

(Statistics)

5% 5% 5% 60 minutes

Note: This lesson plan is only part of an entire daily Mathematics lesson.

You should include as part of this lesson plan:

� Counting

� Mental Mathematics

� Consolidation of concepts

� Problem Solving

� Group work

� Independent Activities

Content Area Topic Concept and skills for the year Grade 1

Concept and skills for the year Grade 2

Concept and skills for the year Grade 3

Measurement Capacity Describe the

capacity of the

container by

counting and stating

how many of the

informal units it

takes to fill the

container e.g. the

bottle has the

capacity of four

cups

Describe the capacity of the

container by counting and stating

how many of the informal units it

takes to fill the container e.g. the

bottle has the capacity of four

cups Introducing formal measuring

• Estimate, measure, compare,

order and record the capacity of

objects by measuring in litres

• Compare, order and record the

capacity of commercially

packaged objects whose capacity

is stated in litres e.g. 2 litres of

milk, 1 litre of cool drink, 5 litres

of paint

Describe the capacity of

the container by counting

and stating how many of

the informal units it takes

to fill the container e.g.

the bottle has the capacity

of four cups

Introducing formal

measuring

• Estimate, measure,

compare, order and record

the capacity of objects by

measuring in litres, half

litres and

quarter litres

• Compare, order and

record the capacity of

commercially packaged

objects whose capacity is

stated in litres e.g. 2 litres

of milk, 1 litre of

cool drink, 5 litres of paint

or stated in millilitres e.g.

500 millilitres of milk,

340 millilitres of cool

drink, 750 millilitres of

oil.

• Know that a standard

cup is 250 millilitres

• Know that a standard

teaspoon is 5 millilitres

(No conversions between

millilitres and litres

required)

Apparatus

1. Items from home which shows capacity measurement in litres and millilitres

( bottles of spice / cool drink bottles)

2. Containers to estimate measurement ( cups / tea spoons )

3. Buckets of water

4. Newspaper advertisements

5. Large sheets of blank paper

6. Glue

Definition

Capacity: The amount that something can hold. It is the volume of a container given in terms

measurement.

Litre

A litre is just a bunch of millilitres put all together. In fact, 1000

millilitres makes up 1 litre:

1 litre = 1,000 millilitres

This jug has exactly 1 litre of water in it.

Litres are often written as L (for short), so "3 L" means "3 Litres".

Difference: The result you get when you subtract one number from another

Estimation: A close guess of the actual value usually involves some thought of calculation.

Collage: A collections of items or objects glued or pasted to a surface.

Teaching Methods

• Discuss Capacity with the class. Ask a few questions to introduce the lesson.

� What is capacity?

� How is it measured?

� Why is it important to know how much a container can hold?

� What is the difference between mass and capacity?

� Why is it important to estimate?

• Bring varies items which are measured in L or ml to class and show them to the learners.

• Learners need to understand which items can be measured in L and ml. ( spices , lotions,

shampoo, juice etc)

• Ask the learners to estimate the capacity of the items which you have brought. Once they

have given their estimation it is a good idea to give them the actual amount and to work out

the difference. ( see activity sheet it is the same one the learners would use in their group

activity )

• Discuss everyday capacity holder - teaspoons, cups and bottles - ask the following

questions:

� How much water does a cup hold?

� How many cups of water will fill a litre bottle?

� How much water does a teaspoon hold?

� How many teaspoons of water will fill this cup?

� How many cups of water will fill this bucket?

• Once a good understanding of capacity has been created move on to the group work lesson.

� Learners are split into groups of 4 ,5 or 6.

� Each group has a big bucket of water, cups and teaspoons. ( see worksheet )

� Each learner has a capacity worksheet. ( see attached )

Look discuss as a group estimate as an individual fill in estimation

do actual measuring as group check to see if the whole group is done

calculate difference

• Once the groups are done the learners have to make collage of items which are measured in

ml or l. This will help in the consolidation of the concept capacity. Large sheets of paper

and newspaper advertisements are required for this activity.

References:

www.mathsisfun.com

www.superteacherworksheets.com

www.primaryresources.co.uk

www.sparklebox.co.uk/sa

Estimate Actual Difference

How many 5ml spoons

fill in a 100ml jug?

How many 250ml cups

fill a 500ml jug?

How many 200ml jugs

fill a litre jug?