Module 14

Textbook

Use the Writing to Learn questions on page 26 to focus your reading. Include at least two of your responses to the questions within your blogs.
Explain what it means to measure something. Does your explanation work equally well for length, area, weight, volume, and time?
To measure something means that you are going to give a value to describe an object. This object can be anything from a cardboard box to a sound.
I think that this definition can work with length, area, weight, volume, and time, but it may need a bit more description of each.

Four reasons wer offered for using nonstandards units instead of standrds units in intructional activities. Which of these seem most imortant to you and why?
I believe the reason "when standard units are used, estimation helps develop familiarity with the unit." is most important.

Circumference and Diameter 

Questions:
Describe Ms. Scrivner's techniques for letting students explore the relationship between circumference and diameter. What other techniques could you use?
The students drew a circle on the carpet with chalk. I find this very cool, I have not seen that before. The students place a pencil in the middle of the circle and use a string to create a circle. The string was the radius. The students demonstrated holding a pumpkin in their arms. That would be the circumference. They break down the work circumference. Circle and circumference have circ-.
They are going to measure the circumference and diameter of different items in the classroom.

In essence, students in this lesson were learning about the ratio of the circumference to the diameter. Compare how students in this class are learning with how you learned when you were in school.
In school, when studying diameter and circumference of circles, I remember measuring things given to us by a teacher and also working directly with formulas. This activity allows the students to explore more.
Do you rememeber any specific activities you got to do as a student with circumference?

How did Ms. Scrivner have students develop ownership in the mathematical task in this lesson?
The students got to choose what was being measured.

How can student's understanding be assessed with this task?
With a group discussion and with their completed data sheet.

For Further Consideration…

We have explored numerous areas throughout this semester. Pick five ideas that you will later use in your classroom.

1. Tangrams and the activities
2. Mira. I thought this was fun to explore.
3. Early data collection activities (graphs) for younger grades. Maybe a data question as morning work.
4. Types of graphs and when to use them.
5. Hands on activities and technology. we have been able to explore various topics with online activities and may be very beneficial for students.

What was your favorite area this semester?