Mass

Mass in IB PYP Grade 1 Mathematics

Mass tells us how heavy something is. Grade 1 learners hold and compare objects, use a balance scale to see which is heavier, and measure with cubes on a balance.

PYP learning is inquiry-based, so every worksheet here is short, colourful and playful, with a friendly animal guide and a teacher answer key on page 2.

What learners practise

Deciding which is heavier or lighter
Reading a balance scale
Ordering from lightest to heaviest
Measuring mass with cubes
Comparing real objects

Mass at a glance

Heavier: the side of the balance that goes down
Lighter: the side that goes up
Level: both sides have the same mass
Size ≠ weight: a big balloon is lighter than a small stone

For students

Read each instruction carefully, try every question and colour the animal when you finish.

For parents

Print on A4, read the instructions aloud together and let your child work alone before you check.

For teachers

Use a worksheet as a starter, homework or exit ticket. Each one has a name, class and date box and an answer key.

Teaching tip

Let children feel the difference by holding a book in one hand and a feather in the other before they use the balance.

Quick answers

Who is the Mass page for?

It is for IB PYP Grade 1 Mathematics learners, typically aged 6–7, and for the parents and teachers who support them.

Is mass the same as weight?

In Grade 1 we use them to mean how heavy something is. Mass is the scientific word.

Does the biggest object always weigh the most?

No. A large balloon is lighter than a small stone.

How should I use these worksheets?

Pick one worksheet, let your child try it without help first, then check together with the answer key on page 2. Short sessions of five to ten minutes, a few times a week, work best.