Longer, Heavier, Holds More

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What this lesson covers

  • Length is how far it is from one end to the other.
  • Weight is how heavy something feels.
  • Capacity is the most a container can hold.
  • Longer, shorter, taller, heavier and lighter are words for comparing.
Key idea

Length

  • Length is how far it is from one end to the other.
  • Line two things up at the same starting point.
  • The one that sticks out further is longer. The other is shorter.
Key idea

Taller and shorter

  • Height is length going up.
  • Stand back to back on the same floor.
  • The one whose head is higher is taller.
Key idea

When you cannot line them up

  • You cannot carry a door to a table. Use something else instead.
  • Count paper clips, blocks or hand spans along each one.
  • Use the same thing every time, so the counts are fair.
the pencil is longest, the crayon is shortest
ThingPaper clips long
pencil7
crayon4
glue stick5
Key idea

Heavier and lighter

  • Weight is how heavy something feels.
  • Hold one thing in each hand. Which pulls down more?
  • On a balance scale, the heavier side goes down.
Key idea

Holds more, holds less

  • Capacity is the most a container can hold.
  • Fill one container with water, then pour it into the other.
  • Or count how many cups of water fill each one.
the bucket holds the most
ContainerCups of water
bucket12
jug5
mug1
Key idea

Try it: length, weight or capacity?

Worked example

How to compare

  • Choose the right way for the thing you are comparing.
CompareHowWords
two pencilsline up the endslonger, shorter
two childrenstand back to backtaller, shorter
an apple and a watermelonhold them or use a balanceheavier, lighter
a cup and a bucketpour or count cupsholds more, holds less
Key idea

Try it: longer or shorter than your hand?

Common mistakes

  • Comparing two pencils without lining up their ends.
    Start both at the same place, then see which sticks out further.
  • Bigger things are always heavier.
    A big balloon is lighter than a small rock. Hold them or use a balance.
  • Using a small cup for one jug and a big cup for the other.
    Use the same cup every time, or the counts do not compare.
  • A tall glass always holds more than a wide bowl.
    Pour water from one into the other to find out.

Your turn

1

A pencil is 7 paper clips long. A crayon is 4 paper clips long. Which is longer?

2

Which word fits? An elephant is __ than a cat.

3

A bucket holds 12 cups of water. A jug holds 5 cups. Which holds more?

4

Tama is taller than Mia. Who is shorter?

5

On a balance, the apple side goes down and the grape side goes up. Which is lighter?

Show answer

1. The pencil 2. Heavier 3. The bucket 4. Mia 5. The grape

Summary

What to take away

  • Line things up from the same start.
  • Use the same measuring object every time.
  • Longer, shorter, taller; heavier, lighter; holds more, holds less.
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