ABSTRACT
Measurement involves the assignment of a numerical value to an attribute of an object or event. Certain circumstances can cause misperceptions of temperature to occur, creating the need for formal measurement with a thermometer. Initially, everyday experiences form the basis for measurement—handprints for area, cups for volume, steps for length—in order to develop principles for effective measuring skills, and in preparation for the introduction of formal units. The use of indirect measures creates a need for informal measurement. Identifying mass is difficult without comparing one object against another-which is heavier, which is lighter-while keeping the focus on mass rather than on volume or length. Since length is the most commonly taught measurement attribute, and the basis of many other attributes-area and volume, for instance-considerable space is devoted to this topic to illustrate in detail how the concept is developed through the several stages.
