Chapter 19: Developing Measurement Concepts presented a discussion on how important the concepts of measurement are. For my New Literacies project in Language Arts, I plan to use a comic strip to present numeracy. To me, numeral literacy is how we use mathematics in the functions of our every day lives. I use concepts of measurement all the time from when I cook my breakfast in the morning to when I set my alarm at night.
I learned quite a few new ideas from reading this article, specifically the measurement instruction sequence of experiences. Many times when students are learning measurement, they do not conceptually understand what they are doing, they are simply connecting two points and counting. Students must first learn that measurement is a means of making comparisons. Next they will understand that the comparisons are made by using units that produce a number called measure. Measurements are made by using a common unit to make the comparison. I also learned that nonstandard units make it easier to focus on the measurement and they can be motivation to students.
I like that this chapter had a lot of examples and activities. They will be useful for reference when I am teaching measurement in my classroom.
I like the way that Sarah discusses measurement as a comparison, this was something that I had never considered before and think that this idea is one that can help teachers ensure that their students accurately understand how and why we measure things. Understanding the process and reason behind learning and applying something is so useful to student understanding. I also believe that they will be more eager and willing to work towards this understanding if they believe and understand that it is important. I also believe that measurement should be introduced at an early age because the more familiar a student is with a concept, the better they will do when advancing this understanding.
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