Weighing Things

K-Gr 3—This brief introduction examines the concept of weight by using real-life examples such as weighing a box, candy, and a person. The program defines weight, explains how it is measured, and presents methods for weighing things. Students learn the difference between matter and mass. Living and nonliving things are shown as examples of matter. The amount of mass in a rock, a fire engine, and a bicycle are compared. Viewers learn about house scales, electronic scales, spring scales, and a balance scale used by scientists. Units of weight are discussed with examples of pounds, ounces, kilograms, and grams. A short quiz concludes the program. Slow pacing and clear narration combined with real-life examples make these concepts understandable for primary-age students. The teacher's guide provides a lesson plan as well as literature connections and extension activities.—Nancy Baumann, University of Columbia-Missouri