How to Teach Kids to Add Pounds & Ounces

Once children have learned basic addition, it is important for them to be able to apply it in useful life situations. Teaching students how to add pounds and ounces allows them to use their addition skills in situations such as checking their weight, cooking and measuring liquids and solids. Using manipulatives and pictures of standard measurements will help students learn how to add pounds and ounces.

Instructions

1

Brainstorm with students why it is important to be able to add pounds and ounces. When students believe they are learning a useful skill, they will be more interested in mastering it.

2

Provide students with a sheet showing standard measurements and containers. For example, 1 cup equals 8 oz., 1 stick of butter is 4 oz. and 1 lb. equals 16 oz. Leave some measurements blank to figure out as a class.

3

Put some problems adding pounds and ounces on the board and model them. Start with problems that do not require converting ounces to pounds. Use ounce bar manipulatives (sticks with ounce measurements) to help solve the problems. Then model some problems converting ounces to pounds. Draw pictures of the amounts being added. Explain that every 16 oz. is equal to 1 lb. Any remaining ounces not equalivant to a pound remains quantified as ounces.

4

Ask students to figure out the amounts on the worksheet and have students solve the problems on the blackboard by using addition and ounce bars. Create additional problems and have the children solve them with teacher supervision.

5

Divide children into pairs. Mixed level groups work well so weak math students can be helped by stronger students. Let students use the manipulatives to help them add the pounds and ounces.

6

Monitor group work and note any errors. Identify weak students for small group work with the teacher.

7

Provide homework so you can assess individual work and give students an opportunity to add pounds and ounces by themselves. Provide easier problems to lower level students, medium problems to students who understand the concept, but do not complete it quickly, and challenging problems to extremely fast finishers who make few or no errors.