Year 1: Measuring capacity with cups

Key words. To count is to say one number for each thing, in order.

Method. Touch each one once and say its number. The last number you say is how many there are.

1. Count each one, in order. Each one gets one number. Do not miss one.
   1, 2, 3, 4, 5
2. Look at the last number. The last number tells us how many altogether.
   The last number is 5.
3. Write the answer.
   There are 5 cups.

Check. Count again from the other side. You get 5 again. ✓

Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.

Key words. To count is to say one number for each thing, in order.

Method. Touch each one once and say its number. The last number you say is how many there are.

1. Count each one, in order. Each one gets one number. Do not miss one.
   1, 2, 3, 4
2. Look at the last number. The last number tells us how many altogether.
   The last number is 4.
3. Write the answer.
   There are 4 cups.

Check. Count again from the other side. You get 4 again. ✓

Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.

Method. Count the cups already in the jug. Then count how many more fill the empty spaces.

1. Count the cups already in the jug. Count the full spaces.
   2 cups
2. Count the empty spaces left. Each empty space needs one more cup.
   6 − 2 = 4
3. Write the answer.
   4 more cups

Check. 2 + 4 = 6. ✓

Watch out. Count the empty spaces, not the full ones.

Method. Count the cups already in the jug. Then count how many more fill the empty spaces.

1. Count the cups already in the jug. Count the full spaces.
   3 cups
2. Count the empty spaces left. Each empty space needs one more cup.
   8 − 3 = 5
3. Write the answer.
   5 more cups

Check. 3 + 5 = 8. ✓

Watch out. Count the empty spaces, not the full ones.

Method. Count the cups already in the jug. Then count how many more fill the empty spaces.

1. Count the cups already in the jug. Count the full spaces.
   4 cups
2. Count the empty spaces left. Each empty space needs one more cup.
   7 − 4 = 3
3. Write the answer.
   3 more cups

Check. 4 + 3 = 7. ✓

Watch out. Count the empty spaces, not the full ones.

Method. Count the cups for each container. Then see which one holds more.

1. Count the cups for A. Each cup is one unit.
   A: 5 cups
2. Count the cups for B. Each cup is one unit.
   B: 8 cups
3. Compare the two numbers. The bigger number holds more.
   8 > 5
4. Write the answer.
   B

Check. 5 cups is less than 8 cups. ✓

Watch out. Count the cups. Do not guess from the shape of the container.

Key words. More means a bigger number. Take away to find out how many more.

Method. Find how many more. Take the smaller number away from the bigger number.

1. Count the cups for each. Use the numbers you counted.
   bowl: 6 cups, glass: 3 cups
2. Take the smaller number away. What is left is how many more.
   6 − 3 = 3
3. Write the answer.
   3 more cups

Check. Add them back: 3 + 3 = 6. ✓

Watch out. Start with the bigger number and take the smaller one away.

Method. Start with what is already there. Then add the ones you put in.

1. Start with 3. That is how many are already there.
   3
2. Add 4 more. Count on from the first number.
   3 + 4 = 7
3. Write the answer.
   7 cups

Check. Take 4 away from 7 to get back to 3. ✓

Watch out. Count on from the first number. Do not start again at one.

Method. Count the cups already in the jug. Then count how many more fill the empty spaces.

1. Count the cups already in the jug. Count the full spaces.
   6 cups
2. Count the empty spaces left. Each empty space needs one more cup.
   9 − 6 = 3
3. Write the answer.
   3 more cups

Check. 6 + 3 = 9. ✓

Watch out. Count the empty spaces, not the full ones.

Method. Count the cups already in the jug. Then count how many more fill the empty spaces.

1. Count the cups already in the jug. Count the full spaces.
   8 cups
2. Count the empty spaces left. Each empty space needs one more cup.
   10 − 8 = 2
3. Write the answer.
   2 more cups

Check. 8 + 2 = 10. ✓

Watch out. Count the empty spaces, not the full ones.

Method. Count in groups of 2. How many groups of 2 fill the jug?

1. Count the cups in the jug. The jug holds this many cups.
   6 cups
2. Count on in 2s. Each glass takes 2 cups.
   2, 4, 6
3. Write the answer. Count the groups you said.
   3 glasses

Check. 3 glasses of 2 cups make 6 cups. ✓

Watch out. Count the glasses, not the cups.

Method. Think about what the count is for. Each cup is one unit.

1. Look at the two counts. Different cups give different counts.
   3 big cups and 6 small cups
2. Think about the cups. A big cup holds more, so fewer of them fill the bowl.
   Big cups = fewer cups
3. Write the answer.
   Both are right. The number depends on the size of the cup.

Check. Use the same kind of cup each time to get the same count. ✓

Watch out. Always say which cup you used when you measure.