Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, gather a variety of familiar classroom objects and natural items (e.g., a book, a pencil, a stone, a leaf, a small block, a feather). Ensure you have a simple classroom weighing balance (e.g., a hanger balance with two buckets or a ready-made one) for demonstration. The central idea for pupils is to understand that objects can be compared as either heavy or light. Successful learning will be observed when pupils can correctly identify and point to heavier or lighter objects when presented with two different items.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Third Term
Week: 9
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Numeracy
Curriculum Theme: Numeracy
Previous Lesson: Comparing objects by size (bigger/smaller)
Topic: WEIGHT: COMPARING HEAVY AND LIGHT OBJECTS
Subject Matter: Concept of Weight of Different Objects. Weekly focus: Weight: Comparing Heavy and Light Objects.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Define weight in simple terms.
- Identify objects as heavy or light.
- Compare two objects and state which one is heavier or lighter.
Affective Domain
- Pay attention to the teacher’s explanations about weight.
- Show curiosity about how objects feel when lifted.
Psychomotor Domain
- Lift and feel the weight of different objects.
- Point to the heavier or lighter object when asked.
Social Domain
- Participate actively in class discussions about object weights.
- Take turns comparing objects with a partner.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- A variety of familiar objects: a book, a pencil, a stone, a leaf, a small block, a feather, a toy car, a small plastic cup, a bottle of water.
- Simple classroom weighing balance (e.g., a hanger balance or a DIY balance).
- Picture cards showing pairs of heavy and light objects.
- Charts illustrating heavy and light objects.
- Drawing book, pencils, crayons.
Rationale for the Lesson
Understanding the concept of weight helps young children make sense of the physical world around them. This lesson introduces essential comparative language (heavy/light) and develops observational skills, enabling pupils to describe and classify objects based on a tangible property they encounter daily, from carrying their bags to lifting toys.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can already identify and compare objects based on other properties like size (bigger/smaller) and colour. They can follow simple instructions and participate in hands-on activities.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
WEIGHT: COMPARING HEAVY AND LIGHT OBJECTS
What is Weight?
Weight tells us how heavy or light something is. Some things are heavy, and some things are light!
- Heavy Objects: These are hard to lift. They feel like they pull your hands down.
- Light Objects: These are easy to lift. They feel like they float up.
Comparing Heavy and Light Objects:
We can compare two objects to see which one is heavier and which one is lighter.
- Hold one object in each hand.
- The one that pulls your hand down more is the heavier object.
- The one that feels easy to lift is the lighter object.
Examples:
- A big stone is heavy, a small feather is light.
- A school bag full of books is heavy, an empty pencil case is light.
- A table is heavier than a pencil.
- A leaf is lighter than a book.
Key Words
- Weight – how heavy or light something is.
- Heavy – hard to lift, pulls down.
- Light – easy to lift, feels airy.
Heavy and Light Rhyme
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Lyrics:
Lift it up, lift it down,
Heavy things make you frown.
Light ones float, up so high,
Like a cloud in the sky.
Heavy, light, which will it be?
Let us feel and let us see!
Actions: Mimic lifting a heavy object (straining face), then a light object (easy lift, arms float up). Point to objects around the room as you sing.
Watch and Compare
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce the concept of weight by asking pupils to lift their pencil and then their school bag. Ask which one feels harder to lift. Explain “heavy” and “light” using these real-life examples. Use simple, clear language. Emphasise that we use our hands to feel the weight.
What to show or demonstrate: Use a simple classroom balance to demonstrate. Place a heavy object on one side and a light object on the other. Show how the heavy side goes down. Then, let pupils try lifting pairs of objects (e.g., a stone and a leaf) to feel the difference. Use picture cards to reinforce examples of heavy and light items.
How to use the rhyme/song: Sing the “Heavy and Light Rhyme” together, performing the actions. Repeat it several times to help pupils remember the concept and key words. Encourage them to point to heavy or light objects in the classroom as they sing.
How to use the video: Introduce the video by telling pupils they will watch a song about heavy and light objects. After watching, ask pupils to name some heavy and light objects they saw in the video. Encourage them to sing along and mimic the actions from the video.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils can correctly identify which object is heavier or lighter when comparing two items. Watch for any confusion between size and weight (e.g., a large balloon is lighter than a small stone). Correct gently by having them lift the objects.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Question and Answer, Manipulation of Objects, Repetition, Practical Activity.
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to lift their pencil and then their school bag. “Which one feels harder to lift? Which one feels easy?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher, lift the objects, and respond by pointing or saying “bag” or “pencil.”
Learning Point: Pupils begin to think about how objects feel when lifted.
Step 2: Explanation of Weight (Heavy and Light)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that some things are “heavy” (hard to lift) and some are “light” (easy to lift). The teacher demonstrates with a large book and a feather, letting pupils see and feel the difference.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, observe the demonstration, and may gently touch the objects.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the basic concepts of heavy and light.
Step 3: Using a Weighing Balance
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Observation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces a simple classroom weighing balance. The teacher places a heavy object (e.g., a stone) on one side and a light object (e.g., a leaf) on the other, showing how the heavier side goes down. “See? The stone is heavy, it pulls the balance down!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe how the weighing balance works and notice which side goes down.
Learning Point: Pupils learn that a balance can show which object is heavier.
Step 4: Guided Comparison with Objects
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Interaction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher provides pairs of objects (e.g., a small block and a plastic cup, a toy car and a pencil) to small groups of pupils. The teacher guides them to lift one object in each hand and say “This is heavy” or “This is light.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take turns lifting and comparing the objects, trying to identify which is heavy and which is light.
Learning Point: Pupils get hands-on experience comparing the weight of objects.
Step 5: Reinforcement with Rhyme and Video
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Creative Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in singing the “Heavy and Light Rhyme” with actions. Then, the teacher plays the “Heavy and Light Song for Kids” video, encouraging pupils to watch and sing along.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions and watch the video, participating in the song.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding of heavy and light through song and visual aids.
Step 6: Picture Comparison and Identification
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Application/Visual Recognition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows picture cards with two objects (e.g., an elephant and a bird, a car and a bicycle). For each pair, the teacher asks, “Which one is heavier? Which one is lighter?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils point to the heavier or lighter object on the picture cards and give oral responses.
Learning Point: Pupils apply their knowledge to identify heavy and light objects from pictures.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 4–5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.
- “Show me the heavy object.” (Teacher presents a book and a leaf).
- “Show me the light object.” (Teacher presents a stone and a feather).
- “Which is heavier, a pencil or a table?”
- “Which is lighter, a ball or a balloon?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate by pointing to objects.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 1 minute
Teaching Skill: Summarisation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the lesson by reminding pupils that we can compare objects to know if they are heavy or light. The teacher encourages them to look for heavy and light things at home.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and acknowledge the summary.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and are encouraged to observe weight in their environment.
Lesson Keywords
- Weight – how heavy or light something is.
- Heavy – hard to lift or move.
- Light – easy to lift or move.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who struggle, provide only two very distinct objects (e.g., a large stone and a feather) for comparison. Use hand-over-hand guidance to help them lift and feel the difference. Repeat the key words “heavy” and “light” frequently.
- Extension: For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, ask them to identify three objects in the classroom and arrange them from lightest to heaviest. Challenge them to find more examples of heavy and light objects from their daily lives.
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