How Much Can It Hold?

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

What Is Capacity?

Capacity means how much a container can hold.

A container is anything that can hold something inside it.

A cup can hold water.

A bowl can hold cereal.

A jar can hold buttons.

A bathtub can hold water.

A backpack can hold books.

Each of these things has capacity because each one can hold something.

A container with a large capacity can hold more.

A container with a small capacity can hold less.

Look at these examples.

A spoon has a small capacity. It can hold a little bit of soup.

A cereal bowl has a larger capacity. It can hold more soup than a spoon.

A bathtub has a much larger capacity. It can hold a lot of soup.

Please do not eat soup from a bathtub. That is not the lesson goal.

Capacity Is Not Always About Height

Sometimes a taller container holds more.

Sometimes a shorter container holds more.

That sounds sneaky, but containers can fool your eyes.

A tall, skinny glass may look like it holds a lot.

A short, wide bowl may look smaller.

But the bowl might hold more because it is wider.

To compare capacity, look at the whole container.

Ask yourself:

• How tall is it?
• How wide is it?
• How much space is inside?

The space inside the container tells you how much it can hold.

Estimate First

Before you measure capacity, you can estimate.

To estimate means to make a smart guess.

Look at two containers. Ask yourself which one you think will hold more.

You might say:

I estimate the big bowl has a greater capacity than the small cup.

I estimate the little jar has a smaller capacity than the pitcher.

I estimate these two containers have about the same capacity.

Then, you can test your estimate.

Compare Capacity

You can compare capacity by filling containers.

You can use water, rice, beans, cereal, cotton balls, or another safe item that pours or fits inside.

Try this.

1. Choose two containers.

2. Pick one item to pour, such as dry rice or cereal.

3. Estimate which container will hold more.

4. Fill the first container.

5. Pour the same item into the second container.

6. Compare what happened.

The container that holds more has the greater capacity.

The container that holds less has the smaller capacity.

If both containers hold about the same amount, they have about the same capacity.

Use Capacity Words

You can use these words when you compare containers.

More capacity means a container holds more.

Less capacity means a container holds less.

Greater capacity means a container can hold more than another container.

Smaller capacity means a container can hold less than another container.

Same capacity means two containers hold about the same amount.

Try saying these sentences aloud.

The pitcher has a greater capacity than the cup.

The spoon has a smaller capacity than the bowl.

The two jars have about the same capacity.

These words help you explain what you notice.

Measure Capacity

Sometimes you do not want to guess. You want to measure.

Measuring capacity tells you how much a container can hold.

Some common capacity units are:

• cup
• pint
• quart
• gallon
• liter
• milliliter

You may see these words on milk jugs, juice bottles, water bottles, measuring cups, food containers, and shampoo bottles.

A measuring cup helps you measure capacity.

For example, you can fill a container and find out how many cups it holds.

If a small bowl holds 2 cups, its capacity is 2 cups.

If a pitcher holds 8 cups, its capacity is 8 cups.

Since 8 cups is more than 2 cups, the pitcher has a greater capacity than the bowl.

Capacity Is All Around You

Capacity helps people choose the right container.

You use capacity when you choose a water bottle for a long walk.

You use capacity when you pick a bowl for soup.

You use capacity when you pour juice into a cup.

You use capacity when you help put leftovers into a container.

Capacity also matters in bigger places.

An elevator has a capacity because it can safely hold only a certain number of people.

A theater has a capacity because only a certain number of people can fit inside.

A gas tank has a capacity because it can hold only a certain amount of fuel.

A balloon has a capacity because it can hold only so much air before it pops.

Pop! That balloon learned about capacity the hard way.

Explore Capacity

Now try a capacity investigation.

1. Gather a few containers that are different sizes and shapes. You might use cups, bowls, jars, food containers, or measuring cups.

2. Choose one safe item to pour, such as dry rice, cereal, cotton balls, or small blocks.

3. Do not mix food and non-food items if you plan to eat anything later.

4. Place two containers in front of you.

5. Look closely at both containers.

6. Estimate which container has the greater capacity.

7. Fill one container with your item.

8. Pour or move the item into the other container.

9. Notice which container holds more.

Try again with two new containers.

As you explore, think about these questions.

• Which container had the greatest capacity?
• Which container had the smallest capacity?
• Did any containers surprise you?
• Did a tall container always hold more?
• Did a wide container ever hold more than a tall one?

Capacity can be tricky, but you can figure it out by estimating, comparing, and measuring.

Next, move to Got It? to practice choosing and comparing containers by capacity.