Measurement: Making a measuring device ( volume)

·         Making a measuring device - using an empty box to make a measuring device.
     
      Using utensils such as cups and spoons, one will help to introduce volume. In order to fill the empty container, children can use corn seeds or marbles. 
    
   An example can be seen below of a simple way in which volume can be put into play in classroom.

Picture 1: A plastic spoon and empty box

   Picture 2:
This picture shows how much volume is taken up when one plastic spoon worth of corn is added.

     

   Later, teachers can ask questions to further the students' understanding of this topic. 

     

   Q:  What is the non-standard measurement used? 

A:     Plastic spoon.  

   Q: How many plastic spoon does the container hold?  

   A:  4. 

     Q: What is the volume of the container? 

     A: The volume of the container is 4 plastic spoons. 

   Then, teachers can set task for children by asking them to use their measuring device (Picture 2) to find out other volume of different container. Teachers could ask this possible questions to help children with their finding. For example:

   T: How many container is needed to fill up the pyramid container?   

   S: 2.

   T: Then, how many plastic spoon is needed to fill the same pyramid container?

   S: 8.

   The below picture shows a poor example of how to teach volume within a classroom. 

                                                   

   Each of the marks have to be numbered so children can see how much of the corn is added with each separate  spoon. 

   

   Another mistake that must be avoid is to write the total or overall result of corn seeds. The reason being that children cannot see how much of the corn was added with each separate spoon.

Here, children can only see the overall result  written on it.