Differentiated instruction at its hands-on best. Students fold, cut and tape two simply elegant (and accurate!) paper beam balances included in this book. Activity sheets prompt kids to use one balance to make quick sense of arithmetic functions and algebraic equations, and the other for a playful exploration of mass and weight. Even preschoolers will delight in age-appropriate inquiry. When you finish the unit, let students take these cheap and simple lab instruments home to wow their families. Great cross-age learning opportunities!