In this article, the author presents three different tasks that can be used to assess students' understanding of the concept of length. Three important measurement concepts for students to understand are transitive reasoning, use of identical units, and iteration. In any teaching and learning process it is important to acknowledge students'…

In this story of a teacher-designed activity called Garage Math, 5th grade students broadened their understanding of how mathematics is used in the real world and strengthened their mathematical skills as they assumed the roles of construction workers. (Author/NB)

Addresses the role that so-called emergent models can play in the process of constituting formal mathematics. Describes how the use of these models became more explicated over time and developed into the notion of emergent models. Uses the design of instructional sequence for flexible mental strategies for addition and subtraction as an example…

When studying wave interference, one often wants to know the difference in path length for two waves arriving at a common point P but coming from adjacent sources. For example, in many contexts interference maxima occur where this path-length difference is an integer multiple of the wavelength. The standard approximation for the path-length…

Mathematics in nature and in the technological world is discussed. Outdoor activities with mathematical content are listed. (JP)

Presents ways of making mathematics come alive for students including inviting historical mathematicians into the classroom. Suggests that costumes and drama add special appeal to looking at the history of mathematics. (KHR)

Explores the effects of the square-cube law that predicts the physical consequences of increasing or decreasing an object's size. Uses examples to discuss the economy of scales, common misconceptions, and applications of scaling laws. (JRH)

Sections look at: (1) Historical Perspective; (2) Naming the New System; (3) The Metric Units; (4) Measuring Larger and Smaller Amounts; (5) Advantage of Using the Metric System; (6) Metric Symbols; (7) Conversion from Metric to Customary System; (8) General Hints for Helping Children Understand; and (9) Current Status of Metric Conversion. (MP)

Offers an instructional approach to increase students' ability to employ mathematical operations as a means of physical measurement. (Author/JN)

A series of situations is suggested incorporating hands-on activities involving concrete experiences with measurement. It is felt that the activities used to teach mathematics and science at the Middle School level need to be specifically suited for the young adolescent. Extensions are possible for in-depth investigations for more advanced…

Presents weekly activities that focus on various forms of transportation in the world. Students investigate transportation through data collection, geometry, and measurement. (KHR)

Some activities involving distances and diameters in the solar system are discussed. (MP)

This article describes how the children's literature book, Grandfather Tang's Story, which is commonly used in the elementary grades, may be used at the high school level to engage students in an exploration of area and perimeter which includes basic operations with square roots, ordering numbers (decimal approximations, and their exact…

A simple, guided-inquiry investigation using stacked sandwich cookies is employed to develop a simple linear mathematical model and to explore measurement error by incorporating errors as part of the investigation. Both random and systematic errors are presented. The model and errors are then investigated further by engaging with an interactive…