We consider here a number of ideas for the classroom or lecture theatre associated with the mensuration of solids. In particular, the volumes of various tetrahedra are obtained in an indirect manner (by way of prisms and square-based pyramids). This activity develops problem-solving skills, spatial visualization and a from-first-principles…

"Mathematical Thinking: From Assessment Items to Challenging Tasks" is a compilation of 36 problem-based lessons that encourage students to engage in productive struggle and deep thinking. Its 36 full-length lessons for grades 2-8 are each inspired by an actual test item from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).…

"Setting the Stage with Geometry" is a new math program aligned with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards that is designed to help students in grades 6-8 build and reinforce basic geometry skills for measuring 2D and 3D shapes. Developed by The Actuarial Foundation, this program seeks to provide skill-building math…

This new addition to Math Solutions "Supporting English Language Learners in Math Class series" offers a wealth of lessons and strategies for modifying grades 6-8 instruction. Section I presents an overview of teaching math to English learners: the research, the challenges, the linguistic demands of a math lesson, and specific strategies and…

Using differentiated instruction in the classroom can be a challenge, especially when teaching mathematics. This book cuts through the difficulties with two powerful and universal strategies that teachers can use across all math content: Open Questions and Parallel Tasks. Specific strategies and examples for grades Kindergarten - 8 are organized…

Describes how students use crazy cars to confirm that the sum of measures of the angles of any triangle is 180 degrees. (Author)

Issues of measurement are fundamental in statistics but are often overlooked in introductory courses. Presents an interactive exercise that encourages students to think critically about how things are measured and to realize that deciding how to measure something can determine the outcome of an investigation. (Author/ASK)

Describes an activity in which students develop personal units of measurement to compare standard and nonstandard measurements. (YDS)

Presents activities on measurement using the metric system. (YDS)

This document presents a resource for elementary teachers in the form of a collection of facts and measurements of animals and planets to be used in generating student interest for these different topics. It is suggested that the teacher make an overhead transparency of the measurements related to the current topic, then have students guess at…

Uses the Paper Balloon origami form to help students discover the relationship between ratios of corresponding distance, area, and volume measures in similar solids. (YDS)

Illustrates a way in which students can estimate the ratio of an area of a circle using the radius square. Discusses why the same value of pi appears in both the formulas for the circumference and the area of the circle. (YDS)

Introduces a room air-exchange activity designed to assess student understanding of the concept of volume. Lists materials for the activity and its procedures. Includes the lesson plan and a student worksheet. (KHR)

Provides activities focusing on students' use of manipulatives to demonstrate understanding. (Author)

Discusses various tools to further understanding of measurement. (Author)