Today we compare. Which is longer? Which is shorter? Which is heavier? Which is lighter?
Longer and shorter
To compare two things, line them up at one end. Then look at the other end.
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The pencil goes further. The pencil is longer. The crayon is shorter.
If they end at the same place, they are the same length.
Tall and short
People and trees can be tall or short. Stand back to back with someone on flat ground. Who is taller?
Heavy and light
Hold one thing in each hand. The one that pulls your hand down more is heavier. The other is lighter.
A watermelon is heavier than an apple. A feather is very light.
Big is not always heavy
A big balloon is light. A small stone can be heavy. We must feel or use a balance to check, not just look.
On a balance or a see-saw, the heavier side goes down.
Try it
TRY ITCompare it
Pick a game. Then tap your answer.
Let’s practise
Point, say or draw. Open each answer after trying.
1. Find a spoon and a fork. Line them up at one end. Which is longer?
Show answer
Answers will vary. Check that the ends were lined up first.
2. Stand back to back with an adult. Who is taller?
Show answer
Usually the adult. Say: the adult is taller, I am shorter.
3. Hold a shoe in one hand and a sock in the other. Which is heavier?
Show answer
Usually the shoe is heavier.
4. Which can be small but heavy?
(a) a balloon
(b) a stone
(c) a feather
Show answer
(b) a stone.
Quick check
Try these three on your own first. An adult may read the words.
1. Two strips start at the same line. The red strip goes further. Which is longer?
- The red strip
- The other strip
- They are the same
Show answer
The red strip. The one that reaches further from the same start is longer.
2. Which is heavier?
- A feather
- A watermelon
- A leaf
Show answer
A watermelon. A watermelon is heavy. Feathers and leaves are light.
3. Before we compare two lengths, what do we do?
- Line them up at one end
- Pick the brighter one
- Close our eyes
Show answer
Line them up at one end. Line up one end, then look at the other end.
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Maths lesson 14: Long and Short, Heavy and Light — worksheet
Point, draw or tell an adult. An adult can write for you.
- Draw a long snake and a short snake. Circle the longer one.
- Draw something heavy and something light. Write or say heavy and light.
- Draw a see-saw with a heavy thing on one side. Which side goes down?
© 2026 Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved.
Maths words
Say these words with an adult. Can you use each one in a sentence?
long · longer · short · shorter · tall · heavy · heavier · light · lighter · compare · balance
Try it at home
- Line up three shoes from one end. Find the longest and the shortest.
- Heft two things from the kitchen, like a tin and a packet of crackers. Guess first, then feel.
- Make a simple balance with a coat hanger and two bags. Which bag goes down?
For parents and teachers
After this lesson, your child should be able to:
- line up two objects from one end and say which is longer, shorter or the same length
- hold two objects and say which is heavier or lighter
- give one example where a smaller object is heavier than a bigger one
Use safe, real objects for hefting, not only pictures. Comparing directly comes before measuring with units such as centimetres or kilograms.
Accept pointing, speaking, signing or communication aids. An adult can scribe. Observe the hands-on work as well as the Quick check; the badge records supported completion only.
Previous: Lesson 13: Building and Patterns with Shapes
Next: Lesson 15: Morning, Noon and Night
Back to Infants 1 Maths
Updates
2026/11/11
– First version of this lesson.
– Linked the previous and next lessons.
Attributions to media used in this post:
Colouring pencils.jpg – MichaelMaggs – CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons; image resized only)
Watermelon and Apple.jpg – Peculiar grace – CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons; image resized only)
A single white feather closeup.jpg – Joao Estevao Andrade de Freitas – Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons; image resized only)
© 2026 Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved.
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