Introducing the Metric System by Herbert F. SpitzerReview by: Richard J. ShumwayThe Arithmetic Teacher, Vol. 23, No. 3 (MARCH 1976), p. 198Published by: National Council of Teachers of MathematicsStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/41188930 .

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features of the kit are the "measure mats," two large (108 cm-by-193 cm) plastic-coated floor mats featur- ing life-size color photographs of many common, everyday objects. The creative teacher could make good use of these mats, which can be purchased sepa- rately from the kit for $23 a set. The total kit does not appear to be an appropriate purchase for most schools.- sity.

- D way ne E. Channeil, The Ohio State Univer-

"Early Metric Series." A series consisting of The Met- ric System, The Meter, The Liter, The Gram, and The Celsius Thermometer, and Teaching Guide. William J. Shimek. Minneapolis: Lerner Pub- lications Co., 1975. 32 pp. ea., $3.95 ea., $19.75 for series. S, *

This series of books would be a useful addition to any elementary school library. Although the five vol- umes are all directed toward students in grades 2 through 5, the reading level required for understanding varies from book to book. The Meter, The Liter, and The Gram are considerably more easy to read than the other two. The Metric System and The Celsius Thermometer, on the other hand, prove to be more interesting, placing the metric system in histori- cal and scientific context. Four of the books use com- mon fractions (e.g., 1/1000) and might, therefore, be difficult for students in the early grades.

In the opinion of this reviewer, The Celsius Ther- mometer is by far the most interesting of these books. Teachers and school librarians may wish to consider this volume for purchase separately from the rest. While the Celsius scale, its history and common read- ings (e.g., body temperature, a warm day) form the core of this book, the construction of thermometers, and the Fahrenheit and Kelvin scales are also dis- cussed.- Suzanne K. Damarin, The Ohio State Univer- sity.

Introducing the Metric System. Herbert F. Spitzer, consultant. Chicago: Coronet Instructional Films, 1969. iv + 68 pp., $1.50. S,? 1 he programmed text ot 2284 items was held tested

with seventh graders who took an average of 5 hours to complete the materials. The basic objectives were to "define standard units of measure and state their im- portance; describe the historical development; convert units within the metric system; and convert from Eng- lish to metric and metric to English units." It is diffi- cult to imagine learning much about a measuring sys- tem without using the system for measuring. Many of the exercises are computational in nature and the em- phasis on conversion from one system to another seems entirely inappropriate as part of introductory materials for the metric system. These materials would not seem to match the needs of most teachers. Their use cannot be recommended. - R.S.

Metric Workshop for Students, Parents, and Teachers. Norman La Palme. Palisade, N.J.: Franklin Pub- lishing Co., Inc., 1975. 128 pp., $5.00. S,A,T,? The book, with tear-out pages, is described as a

"down-to-earth workshop" for students, parents, and teachers. Unfortunately all but seven pages of the book deal with paper-and-pencil exercises such as di- viding (2 dam 7 m 4 dm 2 cm by 6), computing areas and volumes, or converting one metric unit to another. The author states to the reader: "At times, you may have felt that the entire program was an exercise in determining the position of a decimal point, and how many of one unit would equal another unit." I would expect the reader to be in full agreement with the author. There is little to recommend in this book. The metric system will be learned through actual use, not through the poorly conceived computational exercises proposed in these "workshop" materials. - R.S.

Etcetera

Edited by ' rheresa I. Denman, Detroit Public Schools, Detroit, Michigan

Rating Code

** Superior * Good ? Questionable

Card games, board games, records with filmstrips, and overhead transparencies are the media modes. Computation, measurement, and money calculations are the topic areas. Prices range from $1.50 to $69.00. Maybe . . . just maybe . . . there is something for everyone this month.

The gorgeous colors, exotic packaging, charming story lines and catchy tunes give proof that Madison Avenue has come to the classroom. Other elementary school subjects have had this treatment for several years, but the approach is relatively new to mathemat- ics teaching materials.

198 The Arithmetic Teacher

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