Develop your students’ mass estimation skills with our hands-on 500g Hunt: Mass Worksheets! This engaging activity encourages students to make thoughtful estimations about the weight of familiar classroom items while developing a stronger understanding of standard units of mass. By comparing the feel of objects against a known 500 gram reference item, students will build real-world measuring experience in a fun and accessible way.

This resource provides an excellent opportunity for students to apply critical thinking and reasoning as they explore the concept of 500 grams. Once students identify an anchor item that weighs exactly 500g—such as a bag of flour or sugar—they will use it as a tactile reference to estimate the mass of other classroom objects. Through observation, lifting, and comparison, students will form a mental benchmark of what 500 grams feels like before confirming their estimates using scales.

This activity is an ideal complement to lessons on measurement and mass in the early and middle primary years. Students will not only practise using formal measuring tools but also learn to improve their estimation accuracy over time. By recording both estimated and actual weights, students can reflect on their predictions and begin to notice patterns in mass across different materials and objects.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Estimate the mass of common classroom objects using a known 500g reference
• ✅ Measure mass accurately using digital or analogue scales
• ✅ Develop reasoning and comparison skills through tactile investigation
• ✅ Record, analyse and reflect on estimation versus actual mass
• ✅ Use mass-related vocabulary such as heavier, lighter, and about the same

What’s Included:

• Two differentiated worksheet versions:
  • - Version 1: Includes fewer items to compare and larger writing/drawing areas for younger students
  • - Version 2: Increases the number of items to estimate and allows for more detailed data collection
• Clear, student-friendly layout for comparing estimated and actual measurements

Materials Needed:

• Printed 500g Hunt worksheets (Version 1 or 2)
• Scales (digital or spring-based) to measure mass
• A known 500g reference item (e.g. 500g bag of rice, flour or sugar)
• Various classroom objects to investigate
• Pencils or markers for recording observations

How to Use:

1. Introduce or review the concept of grams and the standard unit of 500g using visual aids or real-world examples.
2. Show students a 500g item and discuss how they might use it to help estimate other objects’ masses.
3. Distribute the worksheet version suited to each student's level.
4. Have students explore the classroom to find items they think weigh about 500g by comparing them to the reference object.
5. Use scales to measure each item and record the actual mass alongside the estimate.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use during a Maths rotation to reinforce the concept of estimating and measuring mass
• 💡 Set up as a challenge-based task where students race to find the closest match to 500g
• 💡 Integrate with Science by discussing material types and how they affect weight
• 💡 Include a reflection section where students describe which item surprised them most and why

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Use brightly coloured or labelled reference items to help students remember the 500g benchmark
• 💛 Pre-teach or revise how to read both digital and analogue scales
• 💛 Pair students for peer collaboration and discussion around their reasoning
• 💛 Print worksheets at A3 size for younger students to allow more space for illustrations

500g Hunt: Mass Worksheets offer a practical and engaging way to develop your students’ understanding of mass while building estimation accuracy and vocabulary. Perfect for a wide range of learners, this activity promotes tactile exploration and critical thinking in a meaningful context.