Measurement of volume of liquid is one of the measurable attributes in KBSR Mathematics Year 2 in Malaysia.  It is because measuring has many practical applications in real life situation. It also provides an excellent way to present problem-solving experiences at every level of KBSR Mathematics because measurement can help teach about operation of numbers. To let the pupils learn the topic on the liquid measurement systematically, the following suggestions as pedagogical development may help the teachers to develop their teaching skill.

v  Identifying the attribute for the volume of liquid

v  Direct comparisons of volumes of liquid

v  Indirect comparisons of volumes of liquid through a reference

v  Identifying instruments used as non-standard measurements for volumes of liquid

v  Measuring volumes of liquid using non-standard measurements

v  Introducing standard measurements for volumes of liquid

v  Measuring volumes of liquid using standard measurements in liters (ℓ).

Misconception on Capacity

Referring to the explanation of the meaning of volume of liquid is the capacity to be an attribute of containers, and then we should introduce to young children by asking “Which holds more?”

However, many children often has a misconception on capacity which the children will thought that a taller container may holds more capacity rather than a shorter container although in fact  the container holds more capacity. This happened when the children make a perceptual comparison between two containers, the children often make the comparisons on length rather than capacity.

Thus, hereby we will have to let the students’ study of capacity by using direct comparisons. To make direct comparisons, the children will have to fill one and pour it into the other to see which holds more.

The activities below are teaching and learning activities for measuring volume of liquid using non-standard measurements.

Activity 1: (suggested for low achiever students)

Learning outcomes: to measure volumes of liquid using non-standard units

Teaching aids needed: two same sized cup, two different size plastic container ( as shown in the picture below)

                   Container A             Container B           

Procedures:

1. Hold up the two plastic containers.
2. Ask the students to tell the difference of the containers
3. Divide the students into groups of four students and have them work in their cooperative groups.
4. Two students from the group shall be appointed to record the result
5. The students need to estimate the number of containers needed to fill in the water in the cup.
6. Give each group two containers of different sizes (Container A and Container B) and two same sized cup.
7. One of the students will be using Container A to fill in the cup with water while the other student will use Container B to fill in the cup with water.
8. The other two students who doing the recording will records their findings in the following table:

Container	A	B
Estimation
Measurement

9. The students discussed on the two containers which have the bigger capacity.
10. The students will write their findings in the statement below:

1.          The volume of water in the cup is the same capacity of _________ Container A
2.         The volume of water in the cup is the same capacity of _________ Container B

Activity 2: (suggested for high achiever students)

Learning outcomes: to measure volumes of liquid using non-standard units

Teaching aids needed: two same sized cup, jug and bottle (as shown in the picture below)

Procedures:

1. Hold up the the jug and the bottle
2. Ask the students to tell the difference of the jug and bottle from its size
3. Divide the students into groups of four students and have them work in their cooperative groups.
4. Two students from the group shall be appointed to record the result
5. The students need to estimate the number of cups needed to fill in the water in the jug and bottle.
6. Give each group two same sized cup, a jug and a bottle.
7. One of the students will be using cup to fill in the jug with water while the other student will use cup to fill in the bottle with water.
8. The other two students who doing the recording will records their findings in the following table:

Container	Jug	Bottle
Estimation
Measurement

9. The students discussed on the jug and bottle which have the bigger capacity.
10. The students will write their findings in the statement below:

      a.         The volume of water in the jug is the same capacity of _________ cups. 

      b.        The volume of water in the bottle is the same capacity of _________ cups.