This study examined students' accuracy of measurement estimation for linear distances, different units of measure, task context, and the relationship between accuracy estimation and logical thinking. Middle school students completed a series of tasks that included estimating the length of various objects in different contexts and completed a test…

Provides historical development of units of length, weight, and temperature. Stresses the simplicity of similar units in the metric system. (CP)

The design and use of various types of mathematics learning centers are discussed; suggestions for evaluation of centers are offered. A sample learning center, designed to teach first graders linear measurement, is described in detail. (SD)

Results indicate that estimating skills improved with practice but no relationship exists between estimating physical measurements and choosing the greater of two measurements given in symbolic mode. (MP)

Examples from some area tasks indicate that misconceptions about linear measurement can be carried over to area measurement; children will occasionally count points rather than length units or area units. (MP)

This activity, for grades 7-12, requires students to lay out an arena for training horses. To do this the students compute the sum of metric linear measures, compute the circumference of circles and semi-circles, and use the Pythagorean Theorem. (BB)

The metric unit for almost any physical quantity is shown to be defined in terms of one or more of nine elemental units raised to various powers. (MP)

Activities are suggested which enable children to experience in a concrete manner the basics of linear measurement and estimation in the metric system. (MN)

The development of square units for area and cube units for volume is discussed with emphasis that switching focus from one physical property to another is involved as opposed to simply multiplying units. (MN)

Suggestions for familiarizing elementary teachers with the use of the metric system are given. These include a "stair-steps" method of converting units within the metric system and estimation and measurement activities using familiar everyday objects. (MN)

The results of this study of pre-service elementary teachers show that the majority of teachers studied preferred to use partition as opposed to measurement division word problems, were able to distinguish between the two, and actually used partition to introduce division of whole numbers. (MN)

An activity is presented which involves making a stadia tube from a cardboard mailing tube and using it to measure horizontal and vertical distances using the properties of similar triangles. (MN)

Instructional strategies related to the teaching of measurement scales are provided. Examples of nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio scales are included. (CP)

The nature of measurement is discussed in this article with respect to science and mathematics. According to the author, "measurement is the assigning of numerals to objects of thought or perception according to rules." Other definitions, and properties of measurement are included. Two activities exploring measurement are given. (MA)