For seven years, Paul Lockhart’s A Mathematician’s Lament enjoyed a samizdat-style popularity in the mathematics underground, before demand prompted its 2009 publication to even wider applause and debate. An impassioned critique of K–12 mathematics education, it outlined how we shortchange students by introducing them to math the wrong way. Here Lockhart offers the positive side of the math education story by showing us how math should be done. Measurement offers a permanent solution to math phobia by introducing us to mathematics as an artful way of thinking and living. In conversational prose that conveys his passion for the subject, Lockhart makes mathematics accessible without oversimplifying. He makes no more attempt to hide the challenge of mathematics than he does to shield us from its beautiful intensity. Favoring plain English and pictures over jargon and formulas, he succeeds in making complex ideas about the mathematics of shape and motion intuitive and graspable. His elegant discussion of mathematical reasoning and themes in classical geometry offers proof of his conviction that mathematics illuminates art as much as science. Lockhart leads us into a universe where beautiful designs and patterns float through our minds and do surprising, miraculous things. As we turn our thoughts to symmetry, circles, cylinders, and cones, we begin to see that almost anyone can “do the math” in a way that brings emotional and aesthetic rewards. Measurement is an invitation to summon curiosity, courage, and creativity in order to experience firsthand the playful excitement of mathematical work.

Lisa's homework assignment is to measure something. The fun begins when she decides to measure her dog, Penny.

Geometry & Measurement Workbooks introduce important foundational math concepts gradually, which allows children to feel confident and eager to learn more. Our fun and colorful activities inspire a love of math.

Highlighting the concept of measurement, this resource provides the know-how to use leveled texts to differentiate instruction in mathematics. A total of 15 different topics are featured in and the high-interest text is written at four different reading levels with matching visuals. Practice problems are provided to reinforce what is taught in the passage. The included Teacher Resource CD features a modifiable version of each passage in text format and full-color versions of the texts and image files. This resource is correlated to the Common Core State Standards. 144 pp.