Geometric measurement for middle grades
In this course you'll familiarize yourself with relevant research in teaching geometric measurement, such as the van Hiele framework. You'll also learn how to analyze student work to inform your instruction.
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Related topics
- Learn more about geometric measurement, mathematics, online learning, and professional development.
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Course description
Mathematics and science rely on measurement. Teaching middle-school students to understand the concepts of geometric measurement will not only help them meet your course goals and objectives, but also help build their understanding of math and science as a whole.
In this course you’ll familiarize yourself with relevant research in teaching geometric measurement, such as the van Hiele framework. You’ll also learn how to analyze student work to inform your instruction. By taking advantage of virtual manipulatives, you will promote both conceptual and procedural knowledge around geometric measurement. For your final project, you will complete a lesson plan based on your analysis of student work on geometric measurement tasks, for use in your own classrooms.
Course objectives
- Read and discuss relevant research in teaching geometric measurement in the middle grades, particularly developing familiarity with levels of geometric reasoning.
- Learn how to analyze student work to inform instruction.
- Learn approaches to teaching geometric measurement that emphasize both conceptual and procedural knowledge, particularly in linear measurement, area, surface area, and perimeter.
- Explore the relationships between perimeter and area and between area and surface area.
- Explore visualization, spatial reasoning, and geometric modeling as vehicles to build mathematical skills.
- Become familiar with virtual manipulatives and hands-on activities designed to promote both conceptual and procedural knowledge around geometric measurement.
Course information
- Audience
- This workshop is designed for middle grade teachers, curriculum specialists, professional development specialists, or other school personnel.
- Time commitment
- Approximately 5 hours per week
- Duration
- Six weeks
- Credits
- 3.0 CEUs
Standards alignment
North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards (2009)
- Goal 3: Teachers know the content they teach.
- Objective 3.01: Teachers align their instruction with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.
- Objective 3.02: Teachers know the content appropriate to their teaching specialty.
- Goal 4: Teachers facilitate learning for their students.
- Objective 4.01: Teachers know the ways in which learning takes place, and they know the appropriate levels of intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of their students.
- Objective 4.03: Teachers use a variety of instructional methods.
- Objective 4.05: Teachers help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Goal 5: Teachers reflect on their practice.
- Objective 5.02: Teachers link professional growth to their professional goals.
- Objective 5.03: Teachers function effectively in a complex, dynamic environment.
