Measurement — Capacity and Volume

Capacity is how much liquid a container holds; volume is how much space anything takes. Indirect aim: measurement precision, preparation for physical chemistry, cooking skills.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Mathematics
• Learning area: Operations
• Level: Ages 7-9

Objectives

• Measure in mL, L (capacity) and cm³, m³ (volume)
• Convert: 1 mL = 1 cm³
• Measure real containers and compute volumes
• Understand 1 L = 1000 mL

Materials

• Graduated cylinders, beakers, measuring cups
• Liter/half-liter bottles
• Various containers
• Sponges to squeeze liquid into cylinders

Instructions

1. Fill graduated cylinder to 100 mL. 2. Fill a 1-L bottle — count 10 × 100 mL = 1000 mL = 1 L. 3. 1 mL fits in 1 cm³. 4. Compute container volume: length × width × height for rectangular. 5. For irregular: use displacement (Archimedes). 6. Measure daily water intake (2-3 L). 7. Apply in cooking (recipes). 8. File.

Educator tip

Liter and milliliter are everywhere — drink bottles, recipes. Ground the abstract.

Assessment

Observe measurement accuracy, conversion, and displacement understanding.

More from Mathematics

• Measurement — Time and Calendar
• Measurement — Temperature and Thermometry
• Algebra — Simplifying Expressions
• Algebra — Solving Multi-Step Equations
• Order of Operations — PEMDAS
• Probability — Coin, Dice, Cards
• Statistics — Mean, Median, Mode
• Negative Numbers — Full Operations