Grade 3 Numeracy Term 2 Week 6: Mass, 2D Shapes, Symmetry and Data Handling

Your Week Ahead

This week is a rich one. You are covering Mass under Measurement, dipping into Space and Shape with 2D shapes and symmetry, and wrapping in some Data Handling as well. That is a lot of ground, but the good news is that these topics connect beautifully in Grade 3. When learners sort shapes by their features, they are also doing data handling. When they balance objects on a scale, they are building the vocabulary and concepts they need before grams and kilograms make sense.

By this point in Term 2, your learners should already have some experience with non-standard measurement from earlier grades. They will have compared lengths and talked about heavier and lighter in everyday conversation. This week you are formalising that language and introducing the idea that mass can be measured in grams and kilograms. That shift from non-standard to formal units is a big conceptual step, so take it slowly and keep the hands-on activities front and centre.

For Space and Shape, learners should already recognise basic 2D shapes by name. This week moves them toward describing the features of those shapes, such as the number of sides and corners, and introduces symmetry as a property. Keep a collection of everyday objects, cut-out shapes, and folded paper handy throughout the week. Concrete and visual experiences are what make these concepts stick at this level.

What Teachers Are Searching For

• Worksheets and workbook support for Mass and Shapes in Grade 3: Many teachers look for the DBE workbooks to supplement their lessons. While searches like “dbe workbooks grade 1 term 3 and 4” and “dbe workbooks term 3 and 4 pdf free download” are popular, remember that the DBE workbooks for Grade 3 are the most relevant resource for your class. They include guided activities on measuring mass and identifying 2D shapes that align well with this week’s work.
• How to teach non-standard measurement before introducing grams and kilograms: This is one of the most common questions for this topic. The key is to use a simple balancing scale and objects from around the classroom, such as bricks, blocks, or even pencil cases. Learners compare, order, and record before any formal unit is introduced. Only once they understand that heavier means more mass should you bring in the words grams and kilograms.
• Symmetry activities for Foundation Phase: Teachers often want simple, low-prep ways to explore symmetry. Folding cut-out shapes in half is the most effective starting point. Learners can also draw the line of symmetry on pictures of familiar shapes and objects. This connects naturally to the 2D shape features you are covering at the same time.

This Week’s Lesson Plan

The five days this week move from hands-on mass exploration to formal units, then shift into shapes, symmetry, and data handling. Here is how the week flows.

Day 1: Introduce mass using a balancing scale and non-standard measures. Learners estimate, compare, and use language such as light, heavy, lighter, and heavier to describe and order objects.

Day 2: Extend the mass activity by recording results. Learners order a set of objects from lightest to heaviest and begin to understand that the number of non-standard units gives a measure of mass.

Day 3: Introduce formal units of mass. Explore grams and kilograms using a scale, everyday packaging, and familiar objects. Learners connect the formal units to their earlier hands-on experience.

Day 4: Move into Space and Shape. Learners sort and describe a range of 2D shapes, including rectangles, triangles, circles, and squares. Focus on features such as number of sides and corners.

Day 5: Introduce symmetry as a feature of 2D shapes. Learners identify lines of symmetry by folding shapes. Close the week with a short data handling activity where learners collect, sort, and represent shape data from the week’s work.

Download Your Lesson Plan

Download the full 5-day lesson plan as a Word document. Includes detailed activities, differentiation notes, and assessment guidance.

Download Lesson Plan (Word)