1. This article focuses on Perimeter. To study perimeter, this article gives students sample items to measure, and then finds the success rate of the students. It gives us sample work from students, to see their work, and successes and mistakes. By seeing these examples of student work, teachers are able to study it and understand how they can better teach their students. The article gives an explanation to the teachers that students could learn better if their instruction was related to real-world experiences. Teachers should build on their students knowledge of real life experiences to ask them measurement questions in order for them to really understand what they're measuring. This article also discusses reasoning. It describes how students are able to complete some problems with success, however they're not able to explain or justify why they responded the way that they did.
2. The sample problems were conducted by middle school grade students. However, I have experienced working with perimeter in my 3rd grade class, and I've found that students do have a hard time justifying their answers, as well as applying it to real life. This article helps teachers (in any grade) to understand the thought processes of their students and how they can adapt their teaching to better suit their students.
3. I learned that it is very important to question my students when teaching them measurement. They might be able to "understand" the concept, or complete problems dealing with measurement, however, unless they can explain their learning process, then they don't truly understand. I will be sure to ask them to justify their actions, and talk and walk out their work, so they truly know how to do the concept.
