Annenberg/CPB Videos--Teaching Math: A Video Library, K-4 (1997)
This series of videos shows how the NCTM standards are used in elementary classrooms across America: small, large, rural, suburban, and inner-city. The entire series contains 52 video programs, but the 11 related to geometry and measurement (described below) can be ordered individually by calling 1-800-LEARNER. Videos range from 15 to 30 minutes in length. For more information visit www.learner.org.
Balloon Travel is an integrated math/science lesson, in which second- and third-graders collect data to answer questions such as, "What is the farthest a balloon can travel before falling?" To answer the question, they must understand distance, volume, capacity, and time. NCTM standards addressed: measurement, estimation, connection, problem solving.
How Long is a Minute? shows first-graders observing the second hand of a clock and counting by fives as they watch the second hand rotate for one minute. Students do fifteen-second trials of three activities and estimate how many times the activities can be done in a minute. To determine the time measurements, students use mental math strategies like skip counting. NCTM standards addressed: measurement, estimation, reasoning, connections.
Circumference/Diameter includes reviewing the meaning of radius, diameter, center, and circumference with fourth-graders. Students work in teams to measure circular objects throughout the room. They are then challenged to find the relationship between the circumference and the diameter. NCTM standards addressed: geometry and spatial sense, measurement, connections, reasoning.
Meter Cords models how third- and fourth-graders use linear measurement in learning about decimals. Students measure different items with a meter divided into 10 parts then learn to write their measurements using decimal notation. NCTM standards addressed: measurement, fractions and decimals, connections, communications.
Pattern Blocks portrays second-graders learning the mathematical terms for pattern-block pieces: hexagon, trapezoid, square, triangle, and rhombus.
Ideas about fractions emerge as students spot size relationships between shapes. NCTM standards addressed: geometry and spatial sense, number sense and numeration, reasoning, connections.
Pencil Box Staining challenges fourth-graders with the task of finding out how much stain to buy from the hardware store. Students encounter problems as they work with many mathematical ideas in the context of a real application. Students work in groups with pencil box pieces and a ruler, calculator, and instruction sheet. NCTM standards addressed: measurement, fractions and decimals, problem solving, reasoning.
A Rocket Shape reveals how second- and third-graders subdivide a square to recreate a rocket shape. After completing their rockets, they reconvene as a class to discuss their difficulties and problem solving strategies. NCTM standards addressed: geometry and spatial sense, measurement, problem solving, reasoning.
