What is a Balance?

I asked my class if they knew what this was. (Before the cups were placed on it)

They all thought it was a see-saw. Actually it is called a “balance”. (or some would call it a scale). “Scale” is confusing to the kids because they think of the scales they have at home in their bathroom that weighs them. Obviously they can’t weigh themselves on these scales. So we call it a balance. However, we do “weigh” stuff sort of, to see which is heavier and which is lighter. They loved doing this. Most of all, they loved guessing what was in the cups. By the way, they didn’t get any of them right! (but I put very odd things in the cups. )

“Hmmm, wonder what’s in those cups?”