There are many options available to teachers for assessing mathematics learning. Teachers can learn a great deal about their students' level of conceptual understanding and reasoning skills by monitoring small group and whole class discussion. The students in these video clips are developing the concept of volume as they attempt to answer the question:

How many small cubes will fit into the large (yellow) cube?

Five of the small cubes fit along each side of the large cube and students are provided with cubes and rods of various sizes to assist them in their investigation. This activity provides students with opportunities to consider a variety of methods of calculating volume as they listen to and assess each other's ideas. The activity also provides teachers with opportunities to find out about their students' understanding of volume.

References and Credits