How big is the waka? Measurement with young children

Abstract

This paper explores the teaching of measurement with a class of five year olds. The children were read a story that was based on a fishing trip in a waka. Next day the students were set the task of measuring how `big' the waka was - an outline of the canoe had been taped to the classroom floor. Over five sessions this open-ended problem was solved. The teacher facilitated discussion, elicited questions from the children, provided praise and encouragement, recognised all contributions from the children and followed the evolvement of the children's thinking and actions. Implications for teaching measurement using an alternative approach are discussed.