Exploring the Hand in Hands-On Learning: Illuminating the Standards for Mathematical Practice
Abstract
Exploring the diverse sizes and shapes of hands among sixth-grade students offers a practical platform for engaging with complex mathematical concepts. This study involved 113 students who investigated the area of their hands, a task that requires understanding the measurement of irregular shapes. Traditionally, middle school curricula focus on the area of regular figures, such as squares and triangles. Addressing the grades 6-8 Measurement Standard, our activity introduces methods for calculating the area of more complex shapes. We detail the instructional activities used to familiarize students with these techniques across five sixth-grade classes. The hands-on approach not only aligns with best practices in mathematics education but also enriches students' problem-solving skills.
Keywords: Standards of Mathematical Practice, area, inquiry, hands-on learning, Non-routine problem-solving
How to Cite:
Hogue, M. & Reade, L., (2024) “Exploring the Hand in Hands-On Learning: Illuminating the Standards for Mathematical Practice”, Ohio Journal of School Mathematics 96(1), 35--46. doi: https://doi.org/10.18061/ojsm.4177
Rights:
Mark D. Hogue, Laura Reade
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