Prototype Lesson Plan in Mathematics

This Fruit is a Mass!

By: Sabote, Mary Flor M.

I. Objectives

At the end of 45 minutes period 85% of students should be able to:

• weigh a variety of fruits to determine the mass of each.

• estimate the total weight and compare the estimate with the actual weight.

Competency Code: Related Standard of Learning 4.10

II. Subject Matter:

Main Topic: Measurement: Length, Weight/Mass, Volume (Liquid),

Perimeter, Area, Volume

Sub Topic: Measurement

Materials:

• A variety of fruits, including if possible, bananas, apples, oranges,

pears, kiwis, grapes, cantaloupes, and plums

• Balances and gram weights for each team of two students

• Paper and pencils for recording weights

• A This Fruit Is a Mass! Recording sheet for each team of two

students

Skills to be develop: Analysis, Computing

Ideas: Students collect a variety of fruits and determine the mass of each

fruit and the total mass

Strategy: Reporting category Measurement

III. Procedure:

Instructional activity

1. Setting the Scene: John loves fruit! Everybody in fourth grade knows that fruit is

John’s favorite food. He eats fruit all the time. And, anyone who brings fruit in his or her

lunchbox always gives the fruit to John. John is always grateful! Unfortunately, John

also enjoys four-wheeling! He recently wrecked on his four-wheeler and will have to be

in the hospital for several days. John’s classmates want to do something nice for him,

so they are going to prepare a nice basket of mixed fruit to take to the hospital. They

know that John’s doctor will let him have only 5 kilograms of fruit, so they want to

prepare a basket of fruit that weighs exactly 5 kilograms. Since a grape weighs

approximately 1 gram, it should be possible to put together a basket of fruit that meets

the doctor’s restrictions.

2. Have the class estimate how much fruit will weigh close to 5 kilograms. Allow the

class to weigh one apple to help them make a better estimate. They could discuss the

size of a banana and of a plum. After the class decides what fruit should be purchased,

the teacher could buy the fruit, or the students may volunteer to bring fruit.

3. Note that a grape weighs approximately 1 gram, and that a kilogram is approximately

2 pounds.

4. Divide the class into teams of two members each to facilitate weighing and recording.

Have each team weigh each piece of fruit, using the balance and gram weights, record

the weights, and

Decide on the number of pieces of each kind of fruit that will go into the basket that the

classmates will take to John.

5. Have the whole class compare their conclusions about the combinations of fruits.

Ask, How Many fruit combinations can be made?

6. Use the recording sheet to show a list of fruits that total 5 kilograms.

7. Encourage students to try to please John in their combinations of fruit for the basket.

While a Grape weighs approximately 1 gram; John would prefer not to receive a basket

with 1,000 grapes?

IV. Sample assessment

• Observe students as they weigh the fruits. Watch for accurate use of gram

weights, careful recording of weights, and adding weights to make a total of 5 kilograms.

Look for creative combinations of fruits to reach the desired weight. Note discussions

and conversations, listening for appropriate mathematical vocabulary and noting correct

use of balances and gram weights.

Follow-up/extension

• Discuss the following: Do all fruits of the same kind weigh the same? Have the

students estimate the weight of each piece of fruit, record the estimate, and compare

the actual weight with the estimated weight.

This Fruit Is a Mass! Recording Sheet

Name of Fruit Weight of One Piece Number of Pieces Used