Bridges in Mathematics Kindergarten, Unit 7: Weight & Capacity
In this unit, your child thinks about how heavy things are and how much they can hold. Kindergartners compare two objects by lifting them, pour water between cups to see which holds more, and sort objects into groups and count each one. It uses the counting from the teen-numbers work, and next the final unit brings measuring together with quick adding and subtracting.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 7?
- Describing what can be measured about an object, such as its weight, how heavy it is, or its capacity, how much it holds. Learn more: Describing how long or heavy things are
- Comparing two things directly, by lifting one in each hand or pouring water from one cup into another, to see which is heavier or holds more. Learn more: Comparing which is longer, taller, or heavier
- Sorting objects into groups, such as heavy and light, counting each group, and ordering the groups from most to fewest. Learn more: Sorting things into groups and counting them
Sample questions to try together
These are real questions from our practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
Is a feather heavy or light?
- Heavy
- Light
- Neither
How you can help
- Hand your child two closed kitchen items, like a can of soup and a loaf of bread, and ask which is heavier, then talk about why a bigger thing can be lighter.
- Pour water from a tall, thin cup into a short, wide bowl at bath time, and ask your child which one holds more and how they found out.
- Sort toys into a heavy pile and a light pile at cleanup time, count each pile together, and ask which group has the most.
Where kids can get stuck
- Assuming the bigger object must be heavier, and being surprised that a large pillow is lighter than a small book.
- Thinking a tall, thin glass holds more than a short, wide bowl just because it is taller.
- Calling something 'big' instead of saying exactly how it is different, such as heavier or holds more.
Practice makes perfect
Bobby's Math Club has practice problems that adapt to your child’s level, each with a detailed explanation and an easy-to-follow video, so your child can build confidence in these skills one step at a time.
Words your child will hear
- weight
- How heavy something is.
- heavier
- Weighing more; harder to lift.
- lighter
- Weighing less; easier to lift.
- capacity
- How much a container can hold.
- holds more
- Has room for a larger amount, like a pot compared with a cup.
- compare
- To look at two things or numbers and tell how they are different.
- sort
- To put things into groups that belong together.
- group
- A set of things that belong together in some way.
Want to help your child master weight and capacity?
In Bobby's Math Club, your child practices these skills at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free.
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Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
Which math standards does Bridges in Mathematics Kindergarten Unit 7 cover?
Bridges in Mathematics Kindergarten Unit 7 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
For teachers: Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence. Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow.