University of Connecticut | 
General Mathematics Resources
Grades K-2: Geometry Resources
Grades K-2: Measurement Resources
ERIC - Educational Resource Information Center
Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) is an online digital library of education research and information.
Neag Center for Gifted Education & Talent Development
This website is the home page of The Neag Center on Gifted Education and Talent Development and the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented. You can access informative newsletters and articles on developing talent in students as well an annotated list of the Best of the Best resources in math and science for students of all ages.
Project M³
Mentoring Mathematical Minds: Advanced curriculum units for talented math students in grades 3-5.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics - Illuminations
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) provides information about mathematics education and professional development to support teachers of mathematics.
Math Enrichment at the University of Cambridge
Offers the choice of problems based on mathematical topics/sub-topics that are tiered both by age level and challenge level.
AIMS Puzzle Corner
Math Links: Games, Puzzles, Problems, Brain Teasers & More Fun from Johns Hopkins University Center for Technology in Education:http://www.nku.edu/%7emathed/gifted.html
24 Games
Motivating and innovative, these number games offer a variety of ways for kids to play with numbers while reinforcing skills in mental math, patterning, concentration, problem solving, reasoning...the opportunities are endless! The teacher can set these games up as centers using a problem of the week theme or use them as learning stations differentiated to students’ readiness levels.
Math Forum
Grades 1-4 enrichment. This site also has problems for middle and high school students that may be appropriate for your most advanced students. Young students will need help navigating the site. It is necessary to pay for registration before using the site.
Math Concepts One...Two…Three! [computer software]. Gamco.
In this program, students enter an engaging toyland filled with over 100 activities correlated to the NCTM Standards. Each of the developmentally appropriate activities guides and assesses student understanding and mastery of key math concepts, some of which include measurement, geometry and numeration. The teacher management and complete teacher support materials is also helpful for educators.
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Grades Pre-K – 2. The website of the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis includes games for children and older students.
Discovery Channel - Education
Grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Discovery channel school and education resources.
Energy Quest Science Projects
Grades K-12. Science project ideas from the California Energy Commission.
AOL at School
Grades K-12. Resources for students and teachers from America Online.
I Know That!
Math games for grades 1-6.
Kid's Gardening
Grades 1-6. Resources for gardening with kids including project planning and ideas for garden projects.
Fun School
Math games for grades K-6.
Tessellation Town Animals
Make animals in Tessellation Town on Tile Island! Put together puzzle pieces to find the animals' dreams.
(2007). Illuminations: Going Places. Retrieved March 6, 2009, from NCTM web site: http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?id=U49
Measurement and Geometry unit for grades K-2. The unit uses maps as tools that incorporate mathematical concepts and show spatial relationships, principles of location, and navigation.
Illuminations: Tangram Puzzles. Retrieved March 6, 2009 from NCTM website: http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?id=L168
Students use an internet-based tool to explore tangram puzzles.
(2007). Illuminations: Traveling Along. Retrieved March 6, 2009, from NCTM web site: http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?id=U70
This unit engages students in linking two very important strands of mathematics, Measurement and Geometry.
Chapin, S. H., O’Connor, C. & Anderson, N. C. (2003). Classroom discussions: Using math talk to help students learn, grades 1-6. Math Solutions Publications.
This book introduces five discussion strategies that will help to strengthen students’ thinking and learning skills, as well as, their ability to build connections among mathematical ideas.
Clements, D. (2004). Engaging young Students in Mathematics: Standards for Early Childhood mathematics Education. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers.
Information on measurement in Pre-K to Grade 2 Mathematics. Information on concepts that effect how children learn and understand length and area measurement.
Confer, C. (1994). Math by all means: geometry, grades 1-2. Math Solutions Publications.
Engage students with the concepts of shapes, patterns and mathematical relationships. The unit emphasizes mathematical communication as well as the manipulation of shapes.
Copley, J. V. (2000). The young child and mathematics. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
This book addresses ways to teach mathematics to students Pre-K – Grade 2. It includes lessons on mathematics processes, numbers and operations, patterns, functions, algebra, geometry, spatial sense, data analysis, and probability.
Dacey, L. (August 2007). Math for all: Differentiating instruction, grades k-2. Math Solutions Publications.
Provides powerful strategies for adapting mathematical lessons and tasks to address the wide range of abilities, interests, and learning styles of the students in their classrooms.
Dacey, L., Cavanagh, M., Findell, C.R., Greenes, C.E., Sheffield, L.J., & Small, M. (2003). Navigating through measurement in Prekindergarten-Grade 2. Reston, VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Inc.
Introduce and engage students in engaging hands-on activities that develop the basic ideas of comparing an ordering lengths, weights, time, and capacities.
Van de Walle, J. A. & Lovin, L. (2006). Teaching student-centered mathematics: Grades k-3. Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.
This book includes over 200 grade and subject specific math lessons. Every chapter includes problem-based activities and assessment notes. This book also comes with a companion website. In addition, the appendix details the NCTM standards met by each lesson.
Chick, L. Holmes, A. McClymonds, N. Musick, S. Reynolds, P. Shultz, G. (March 2008) Math by the Month: Geometry and Measurement. Teaching Children Mathematics, 14(7), 408.
A Geometry and Measurement weekly activity for grades k-12. Students connect geometry and measurement to the world around them. They find shapes, use area and perimeter to solve problems, explore tessellations, and investigate diagonal lines and lines of symmetry.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. (2000). Principles and standards for school mathematics: Geometry Standard for Grades Pre K-2. Reston, VA: Author. Retrieved from NCTM website on March 20, 2009:
http://standards.nctm.org/document/appendix/geom.htm
This document represents the next step by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) in its efforts to ensure quality, indicate goals, and promote positive change in mathematics education for grades pre-K-12, specifically in Geometry.
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
This website includes about 30 virtual manipulatives which allow students to visualize and practice concepts of money, time, and geometry including tessellations, reflection, rotation, and translation.
(2007). Illuminations: As People Get Older, They Get Taller. Retrieved March 6, 2009, from NCTM website: http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?id=U171
This is a two-lesson unit in which students compare the heights of friends and classmates at different ages. Through the course of the lessons, students are exposed to algebra, measurement, and data analysis concepts, and a major theme of the unit is analyzing change. It can be used for students in grades K-5.
(2007). Illuminations: Going Places. Retrieved January 7, 2008, from NCTM web site: http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?id=U49
This unit engages students in grades K-2 in activities that use Measurement and Geometry. Students connect what they see and do each day with practical uses of mathematics. The unit uses maps as tools that incorporate mathematical concepts and show spatial relationships, principles of location, and navigation.
Gonsalves, P. & Kopp, J. (1995). Build it! festival: Teacher’s Guide. Berkeley: The Regents of the University of California.
Students will construct two- and three-dimensional shapes as they also construct their own understanding of geometry.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. (2001). Navigating through geometry in pre-kindergarten-grade 2. Nation Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Focusing on the important ideas of geometry, this book shows how to investigate two- and three-dimensional shapes with very young students. It introduces methods to describe location and position, explores simple transformations, and addresses visualization, spatial reasoning, and the building and drawing of constructions. Activities in each chapter pose questions that stimulate students to think more deeply about mathematical ideas. The CD-ROM features 14 articles from NCTM publications. The supplemental CD-ROM also features interactive electronic activities, master copies of activity pages for students, and additional readings for teachers.
Burns, M. (1994). The greedy triangle. New York: Scholastic Inc.
Burns brings mathematics to life in her beautiful book about a triangle who is dissatisfied with his shape. He progressively changes into shapes with more sides until finally he is a circle. The story incorporates a variety of lessons. Students will learn about the relationships between shapes, the use of shapes for describing every day objects as well as why it is important to be satisfied with oneself.
Ernst, L. C. (1983). Sam Johnson and the blue ribbon quilt. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books.
Ernst tells the story of Sam Johnson, who discovers one night that he likes to sew. When he is rejected from the Rosedale Women’s Quilting Club, he forms his own all male quilting club. In addition to moral lessons, the book’s illustrations can also be used to discuss geometry lessons for young students.
Tompert, A. (1990). Grandfather Tang’s story. New York: Crown Publishers Inc.
As a Chinese grandfather tells his granddaughter about the adventures of two form changing fox fairies of ancient Chinese lore, he constructs pictures of different animals with tangrams. Students can follow along with their own sets of tangrams. The book also has beautiful watercolor illustrations.
Clements, D.H. (October 2000). The earliest geometry. Teaching Children Mathematics. 7(2), 82.
Examines activities and children's thinking in four main areas of the Geometry Standard in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' (NCTM) "Principles and Standards for School Mathematics": (1) properties of shapes; (2) locations and spatial relationships; (3) transformations and symmetry; and (4) visualization.
Copley, J., Glass, K., Faseler, A., De Jesus, M., & Tanksley, S. (February, 2004). Measuring experiences for young children. Teaching Children Mathematics, 10(6). 314-319.
This article describes problem-solving activities that involve young students in meaningful measurement experiences.
Shifter, D. (1999). Learning Geometry: Some Insights Drawn from Teacher Writing. Teaching Children Mathematics, 5, 360-366.
Contributes to the emerging picture of children's development of understanding in geometry and the kinds of teaching that can support it.
Van Hiele, P.M. (1999). Developing geometric thinking through activities that begin with play. Teaching Children Mathematics, 5, 310-316
Rich and stimulating instruction in geometry can be provided through playful activities with mosaics such as pattern blocks or design tiles. Presents an intriguing mosaic puzzle to describe activities at various developmental levels and how the activities can help develop children's geometric thinking.
(2007). Illuminations: Going Places. Retrieved January 7, 2008, from NCTM web site: http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?id=U49
This unit engages students in grades K-2 in activities that use Measurement and Geometry. Students connect what they see and do each day with practical uses of mathematics. The unit uses maps as tools that incorporate mathematical concepts and show spatial relationships, principles of location, and navigation.
(2007). Illuminations: As People Get Older, They Get Taller. Retrieved February 14, 2008, from NCTM web site: http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?id=U171
This is a two-lesson unit in which students compare the heights of friends and classmates at different ages. Through the course of the lessons, students are exposed to algebra, measurement, and data analysis concepts, and a major theme of the unit is analyzing change. It can be used for students in grades K-5.
Kamii, C. (October 2006). Measurement of Length: How Can We Teach it Better? Teaching Children Mathematics, 13(3), 154. Retrieved February 15, 2008, from http://my.nctm.org/eresources/view_media.asp?article_id=7629
The purpose of this article is to explain, on the basis of research, why the instruction of measurement in grades K-2 (and beyond) has been ineffective and to suggest a better approach to teaching. The article addresses issues in teaching young students transitivity and unit iteration as well as why they are relevant
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. (2000). Principles and standards for school mathematics: Measurement Standard for Grades Pre K-2. Reston, VA: Author. Retrieved from NCTM website on March 20, 2009. http://standards.nctm.org/document/appendix/meas.htm This document represents the next step by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) in its efforts to ensure quality, indicate goals, and promote positive change in mathematics education for grades pre-K-12, specifically in Measurement.
Copley, J., Glass, K., Faseler, A., De Jesus, M., & Tanksley, S. (February, 2004). Measuring experiences for young children. Teaching Children Mathematics, 10(6). 314-319.
This article describes problem-solving activities that involve young students in meaningful measurement experiences.
Murphy, E. (September, 2004). A mathematical measurement mystery. Teaching Children Mathematics, 11(2). 54-61.
An investigation activity that helps students to develop conceptual understanding of measuring with non-standard units.
Bachman, V. (2007). Sizing up Measurement: Activities for Grades K-2 Classrooms. Math Solutions Publications
In this book, expert teachers share a wealth of classroom-tested lessons that help students understand why and how to measure length, area, capacity, weight, time, and temperature. The book provides engaging real-world contexts to help students understand what it means to measure, using standard and nonstandard units. The lessons emphasize connections between two or more measurement topics and include connections to other disciplines, such as literature, social studies, or science. Each lesson is organized in an accessible, easy-to-use format that includes an overview, a list of materials, a vocabulary list, and step-by-step teaching directions.
Leedy, Loreen. (2000). Measuring Penny. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Co.
Lisa has to measure something in as many ways as she can using standard and nonstandard units. Lisa chooses her Boston terrier, Penny, and the fun begins. As Lisa measures Penny and a variety of other dogs, readers learn about measuring and information about owning a dog.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0733189. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation