Recent research in problem solving has shifted its focus to actual classroom implementation and what is really going on during problem solving when it is used regularly in classroom. This book seeks to stay on top of that trend by approaching diverse aspects of current problem solving research, covering three broad themes. Firstly, it explores the…

Presents activities to teach the formula for the area of a rectangle that require students to determine the cost of refurbishing their school's tennis courts. Students collect their own data, organize information, and make decisions individually and as a group to solve the problem. Worksheets are provided. (MDH)

In workshops for teachers the author provides each participant with five sticks and challenges them to create a variety of configurations. In the process the teachers hypothesize and test a number of geometric notions. (SD)

Allowing students to use a polystyrene cutter to fashion their own three-dimensional models is suggested as a means of allowing individuals to experience problems and develop ideas related to solid geometry. A list of ideas that can lead to mathematical discovery is provided. (MP)

Some examples for investigating shapes in the environment are given. Circular objects, triangulation, symmetrical designs, and further investigations are listed. (MNS)

A square lattice is used to generate classroom activities, such as counting the number of squares in a lattice of a given size. (MP)

Presents a cooperative-learning lesson in which high school students visit stations equipped with different tools to establish the midpoint of a Pixy Stix, a brand of candy-filled straw. Provides solutions for two potential stations, suggestions to extend the activity, and two activity worksheets. (MDH)

Activities involving the drawing of kites and figures related to kites are described. (SD)

An activity involving measurement of various parts of a bicycle is described. Sample worksheets are included. (SD)

This activity unit leads students to discover facts related to the maximum area enclosed by figures with given perimeters. Three worksheets are included. (MP)

Details of pupil exploration as to the largest number of sides that a polygon could have on a geoboard are presented. The problem is not seen as open-ended, but many different avenues of pursuit stem from it. (MP)

Suggests discovery activities in spatial awareness for elementary math, utilizing home-made geometric shapes and soma cubes. (SJL)

A number of paper-folding activities are described. The activities illustrate geometric concepts, theorems, and construction techniques. (SD)

Presents two worksheets that ask students to count and classify the triangles that can be formed with a given total number of toothpicks or a given number of toothpicks for one side of the triangle. A third worksheet asks students to identify patterns observed during the investigations. Provides reproducible worksheets. (MDH)

Presents the template method developed by Galileo for calculating areas of geometric shapes constructed of uniform density and thickness. The method compares the weight of a shape of known area to the weight of a shape of unknown area. Applies this hands-on method to problems involving calculus, Pythagorean's theorem, and cycloids. (MDH)