Understanding capacity and volume
I can understand and use capacity and volume.
Understanding capacity and volume
I can understand and use capacity and volume.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Different containers have different capacities - they hold a different amount of liquid.
- We can use the scale on the measuring container to tell us the volume of liquid in the container.
- The volume of liquids in different containers can be compared using the scale.
Keywords
Capacity - Capacity is a measure of the maximum amount of liquid a container can hold when full. Capacity can be measured in millilitres.
Volume - Volume is the amount of space that an object takes up. In this case, the specific amount of liquid in a container.
Milliliitre - The millilitre is a metric measure of capacity or volume. A millilitre is a very small amount of liquid. The abbreviation is ml.
Common misconception
Confusion between the terms capacity and volume.
Capacity is the whole amount of liquid that a container can hold. Volume is the actual amount of liquid in the container.
To help you plan your year 3 maths lesson on: Understanding capacity and volume, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 3 maths lesson on: Understanding capacity and volume, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 maths lessons from the Measures: mass and capacity unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions




200
400
600
700
300

Exit quiz
6 Questions



1000 ml
600 ml


