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Primary Balances

Primary Balances

TEKS Objective

The student is expected to collect data from observations using simple equipment such as hand lenses, primary balances, thermometers, and non-standard measurement tools.

Essential Understanding

The student develops abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry in classroom and outdoor investigations.

Science Background

Mass vs. Weight: NASA (video) - Build your understanding of the difference between mass and weight with this video produced on the International Space Station.

Mass vs. Weight
NASA, www.nasa.gov

Signature Lesson

How Much Does it Weigh? Vermillion Parish (LA) School District (website) - Students predict, measure and compare the weight/mass and volume of different solids and liquids using observation and a primary balance.

How Much Does it Weight?
Vermillion Parish (LA) School District, www.vrml.k12.la.us

Supporting Lessons

Measurable Attributes: Rhode Island Project (PDF) - Students compare objects through visual inspection, by holding the objects, and using a balance.

Measurable Attributes
Rhode Island Project, www.ride.ri.gov

Elaboration Lessons and Extensions

Primer Balance Activity Guide: Ohaus Corporation (PDF) - Lessons that enable students explore how a primer balance is constructed, how it works, and what kinds of information it can provide.

Primer Balanace Activity Guide
Ohaus Corporation, www.ohaus.com

Make a Balance Scale: Ontario Parks (PDF) - Simple instructions on how to make a balance scale from a coat hanger and two yogurt containers.

Make a Balance Scale
Ontario Parks, www.ontarioparks.com

Assessment Ideas

Have each student bring five appropriately sized objects from home and use a balance to rank the objects by mass.

Literature Connections

Millions to Measure. Schwartz, D. (ISBN- 13: 9780060848064)
Weighing the Elephant. Ting-xing, Ye (ISBN-13: 978-1550375275)
You Can Use a Balance. Bullock, Linda (ISBN-13: 9780516278995)
 

Related Science TEKS

(2.1A) Science Safety
The student is expected to identify and demonstrate safe practices as described in the Texas Safety Standards during classroom and outdoor investigations, including wearing safety goggles, washing hands, and using materials appropriately.

(2.1B) Importance of Safe Practices
The student is expected to describe the importance of safe practices.

(2.1C) Recycling/Disposal of Science Materials
The student is expected to identify and demonstrate how to use, conserve, and dispose of natural resources and materials such as conserving water and reuse or recycling of paper, plastic, and metal.

(2.2A) Ask Questions
The student is expected to ask questions about organisms, objects, and events during observations and investigations.

(2.2B) Plan and Conduct Descriptive Investigation
The student is expected to plan and conduct descriptive investigations such as how organisms grow.

(2.2D) Record and Organize Data & Observations
The student is expected to record and organize data using pictures, numbers, and words.

(2.2E) Communicate and Justify Explanations
The student is expected to communicate observations and justify explanations using student-generated data from simple descriptive investigations.

(2.2F) Comparing Results of Investigations
The student is expected to compare results of investigations with what students and scientists know about the world.

(2.3B) Make Predictions
The student is expected to make predictions based on observable patterns.

Related Math TEKS

2.12D    The student is expected to use tools such as real objects, manipulatives, and technology to solve problems.
2.13A    The student is expected to explain and record observations using objects, words, pictures, numbers, and technology.

Additional Resources

Poddle Weigh In: PBS Kids (website) - This interactive game challenges student to determine the mass of different creatures, called “poddles,” using a virtual balance scale.

Poddle Weight In
PBS Kids, www.pbskids.org

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