Emily Merten

CIED 1003

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Author: Cynthia Orona, Vinson Carter and Heather Kindall

Title: Understanding standard units of measure
Year Published: 2017
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/10.5951/teacchilmath.23.8.0500.pdf?refreqid=excel
sior%3A5ffce11d046eae5ae0be2adff38b210b

In the article, Understanding standard units of measure, Kindall and Carter want to address
the use of STEM methods to make the transition from nonstandard to standard units of
measurement for second graders. The engineering design process that comes from STEM and
standard units of measurements were addressed to second graders in this study by using
interactive book reading. The book reading was the catalyst for introducing the STEM design
challenge, allowing the teachers to address the application of standard units of measurement to
the students. The engineering design process from STEM typically consists of a variation of the
following steps: questioning, brainstorming, planning, constructing, improving, and sharing. The
teachers in this study set up the design challenge by presenting the students with an investigation
of how handprint cut outs from a giant got on the classroom wall. By doing so, the students
were asked to problem solve using the STEM steps previously listed. This created a basis for the
concept the students would later use to understand standard units of measure.
The students began the engineering design process by creating a scaled cutout of the
giants head to match the handprints, allowing students to research the relationship between hand
measurements and body or facial features. This activity was not your typical second grade math
lesson. Not only did this activity allow students to understand basic engineering principles and
the importance of standard units of measurement, it also gave the students awareness of human
factors in technological design. Modifications of this model can be made to introduce the same
engineering STEM concepts for upper level students. This study incorporated the importance of
collaboration with your peers to problem solve. Although the investigation was a fairy tale
scenario, the steps used to solve the investigation can be applied to in real life situations. This
study showed the students how some problems cant be solved using only one discipline or
content area, but by understanding basic engineering concepts, you can solve those problems.
Introducing the difficult concept of standard units of measurements to second graders doesnt
have to be intimidating or boring by using the engineering aspect of STEM.

Author: Elizabeth Smith, Heather Kindall, Vinson Carter, Maggie Beachner

Title: Impact of Adopt-A-Classroom Partnerships Between K-12 and University Faculty
Year Published: 2016
URL: http://search.proquest.com/docview/1802728285?pq-origsite=gscholar
Emily Merten
CIED 1003

Author: Heather Kindall

Title: "An Easy Switch": A Descriptive Case Study Exploring the Shift Toward
Informational Text Accompanying the Implementation of Common Core State Standards
in Five Primary Classrooms
Year Published: 2013
URL: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1847&context=etd