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.