Epilogue

In this introduction, we have tried to give you some tools with which to approach this unit on length and area. The Pythagorean theorem, the area formulas in Figure 5, and Pick's area theorem are some of the mathematical tools you'll find useful. Bear in mind, however, that these formulas are not necessarily for student consumption. Indeed, we strongly advise against this. As a general rule, asking students - especially younger kids - to apply a formula such as A = b x h is not the best way to introduce a concept. It gives them the impression that mathematics is more a matter of memorizing and applying formulas, which it is not. The formula should come later, perhaps much later, after the student has wrestled with concept.