NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ1001732
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-May
Pages: 6
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1073-5836
EISSN: N/A
A Super Way to Soak in Linear Measurement
Kurz, Terri L.
Teaching Children Mathematics, v18 n9 p536-541 May 2012
Do manufacturers' claims about water projectile toys measure up? It is one thing to assert that a Super Soaker[R] shoots thirty linear feet, but can it really shoot that far? This lesson gives students an opportunity to test the claims, experience measurement in a meaningful context, and analyze data within that context. Although measurement can be a challenging task to teach and learn (Clements 1999), using water toys makes this investigation topic interesting, exciting, feasible--and fun. By integrating measurement and data analysis, students have the opportunity to test manufacturers' claims. This investigation focuses on the grades 3-5 Standard in which students are expected to "understand measurable attributes of objects and the units, systems, and processes of measurement" as well as "the need[s] for measuring with standard units and becom[ing] familiar with standard units in the customary and metric systems." Expectations for K-grade 2 include understanding "how to measure using nonstandard and standard units" (NCTM 2000). This Super Soaker investigation includes extensions (for grades 5-8) and modifications (for grades 1-4) for other investigations using water projectiles.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. 1906 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1502. Tel: 800-235-7566; Tel: 703-620-3702; Fax: 703-476-2970; e-mail: orders@nctm.org; Web site: http://www.nctm.org/publications/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 3; Grade 4; Grade 5
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A