Explaining the concept of mass to elementary-level students requires using simple language and relatable examples. Here's an explanation you can use:
"Mass is a way to measure how much stuff or matter an object has. Everything around us, including ourselves, has mass. Mass is what makes objects heavy or light.
Think about the things you have in your backpack. Some things might be heavier than others, like a big book compared to a small toy. The big book has more mass than the small toy, so it feels heavier when you pick it up.
Now, imagine holding a balloon and a basketball of the same size. When you try to bounce the basketball, it takes more effort because it has more mass. The balloon is easier to bounce because it has less mass.
Mass also affects how things move. If you push a big heavy rock and a small lightweight ball with the same force, the rock will move less because it has more mass. The ball will move more because it has less mass.
So, mass is like a measure of how much matter or stuff is in an object. The more mass something has, the heavier it feels and the harder it is to move. The less mass something has, the lighter it feels and the easier it is to move."
It's important to use concrete examples, everyday objects, and comparisons that children can easily relate to. You can also encourage them to explore different objects around them and compare their masses to develop a better understanding of the concept.