Intermediate
40 mins
Teacher/Student led
+65 XP
Teacher-led from the board. Pupils do not need a device, but can follow on one.
What you need:
Measuring cups

Measuring with Cupfuls

You will explore measuring how much different containers hold (their capacity) by filling them with cupfuls of water. You will see why using the same cup every time is essential for accurate measurements.

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    Estimation game
    Estimation game

    1 - Getting Started ~3 mins

    Illustration for Getting StartedHow many cupfuls would fill a class jug? Make a quiet guess in your head. No calling out yet.

    2 - Watch and Notice ~10 mins

    Watch the small jug filled with the same small cup, full to the top every time.

    Now watch the same jug filled with the big mug every time.

    Same jug: 6 cupfuls with the small cup, only 3 with the big mug. The number changed because the cup changed. The number only means something when every pour uses the same full cup.

    One more container: the flask, still with our small cup.

    3 - Try It Together ~9 mins

    A new container is on the board. Think of your number quietly in your head — no calling out yet. Then one of us counts the cupfuls on the board, and we check our guesses.

    Estimate then count in cupfuls

    4 - Class Challenge ~8 mins

    We will go through these containers together: the teapot, the tall jug, and the large watering can. Make a quiet guess first each time, then check the count.

    Estimate then count: teapot to large watering can

    5 - What Did We Notice? ~4 mins

    MATHS TALK

    Think about the small jug on the board: 6 with the small cup, 3 with the big mug. If the cup gets bigger halfway through, our number gets ___ because ___. The number only counts when ___.

    Pupil practice
    Module 7 · Measures: Length, Weight and Capacity Measures
    Lesson 84 · Measuring with Cupfuls
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