Parker Elementary Students Race into Math with Hot Wheels Lesson
Second-grade students at Ellis D. Parker Elementary School turned their classroom into a racetrack to explore measurement and distance in a hands-on math activity.
Resource Teacher Regina Revels partnered with second-grade teachers to launch Hot Wheels cars across smooth and rough surfaces. Working in teams, students measured how far the cars traveled using yardsticks, recording distances in inches, feet and yards.
The lesson encouraged discussion, problem-solving and collaboration as students compared results and adjusted their approaches.
“This showed students that math is a tool for exploration and discovery,” Revels said. “They built confidence in their measuring skills while having fun.”
One second-grader exclaimed, “I didn’t know math could be this fun!” Another asked when the class could repeat the activity.
Activities like this support the Department of War Education Activity’s Blueprint for Continuous Improvement by advancing Student Excellence through engaging, real-world academic experiences and School Excellence via innovative, collaborative teaching that delivers high-quality instruction in every classroom.
