Investigations
Capacity refers to the maximum amount that a container can hold.
Materials:
- Different containers
- Some may be similar like 2 cups or mugs that are close to the same size
- Others may be different like a tall glass and a shorter, wider glass
- A small scoop (for e.g., the cap of a container, small measuring cup, measuring spoon)
- A pourable material (for example, water, sand)
Instructions:
- Ask your child to estimate the capacity of each container by predicting the number of scoops that will be needed to fill it.
- Then have him or her fill the container with scoops of the pourable material and count the number of scoops needed to fill it.
- Which container held the most?
- Which container held the least?
- How many times would you have to fill up the smallest container to fill the largest container?
- Why do some containers hold more than others?
(adapted from mathies.ca)
Categories: Elementary