Measurement

Measurement

I have! Who Has?

A great way to review concepts, be the main activity of the class or even the consolidation this math game creates an engaged and entertained class. This game allows for all students to take part and helps reinforce definitions or specific aspects of the math topic for the unit. A description of the game and some example card decks can be found online at Math Wire. The answers for the game would have to be known before hand and because of this the game would not be a good use for an introduction. The answers should also be simple so that students do not take to long answer and become disengaged. I can see this game easily being used in my practicum. The game does not take long to set up and provides for a fun form of review. Students will be able to have fun while completing math activities and hopefully this will keep them interested in the topics.

Different Area Same Perimeter

In class this week we examined the measurements of perimeter and area in rectangles. The main concept that we looked at was that even if shapes can have the same perimeter the area inside can be vastly different. The area does not stay the same if you change the dimensions of the shape. If asking students to find examples of this try to ensure that they keep track of the dimensions that they have tried. By keeping track of their attempts they will be able to see what has or hasn’t worked and can work more effectively because of this.

How to Measure

Teaching measurement can be a difficult topic especially if the first way to introduce it is by measuring with centimeters. Instead measurement can be introduced through three different ways. As seen below it can be introduced by comparison, non-standard units and standard units.

 

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These different concepts of measurement allow the student to better grasp how to measure. With comparison students should be able to recognize what object is longer by comparing to another. The comparison aspect also allows the student to develop vocabulary such as longer than or shorter than.  Measuring with non-standard units can help the students relate to the object that they are measuring. By using objects that are familiar to them such as a new pencil or popsicle stick the students can form a mental image of how long that object might be. Lastly measuring in standard units should be taught to the students as something that everyone will understand as the same length. Explaining to students that measuring with your feet may be different between two people if they do not have the same size feet. Measuring with standard units allow all people to have the same measurement of objects. Measuring with standard units should be introduced to students so that they see the value in everyone understanding the measurement as the same.