ERIC Number: EJ1493243
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2026
Pages: 6
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0025-5769
EISSN: EISSN-2330-0582
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Toilet Paper Olympics
Liza Bondurant
Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12, v119 n1 p58-63 2026
When students physically act out a problem, use gestures, or work with hands-on tools, they are using embodied learning. This article introduces the Toilet Paper Olympics as a model for integrating embodied learning into meaningful mathematics instruction, particularly around the often-challenging topic of measurement and unit conversions. In this set of activities, students direct much of their own learning by making predictions, experimenting with measurements, and choosing how to represent their results. They jump, throw, and run, then use those actions to measure, convert, and compare. These playful, inquiry-based events allow students to connect physical action with mathematical thinking.
Descriptors: Mathematics Instruction, Learning Activities, Measurement, Experiential Learning, Prediction, Inquiry, Play, Grade 4
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. 1906 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191. Tel: 800-235-7566; Tel: 703-620-9840; Fax: 703-476-2570; e-mail: publicationsdept@nctm.org; Web site: https://pubs.nctm.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 4; Intermediate Grades
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

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