"Improving Mathematics in the Early Years and Key Stage 1" reviews the best available evidence to offer five recommendations for developing the maths skills of 3-7-year olds. Recommendations include integrating maths into different activities throughout the day -- for example, at registration and snack time -- to familiarise children…

Explains standard drawing layouts and rules for creating orthographic and isometric views of a three-dimensional object. Normal and inclined surfaces are also discussed. Concludes with recommended classroom activities. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (FDR)

Describes seven spatial abilities related to mathematics including eye-motor coordination, figure-ground perception, perceptual constancy, position-in-space perception, perception of spatial relationships, visual discrimination, and visual memory. Discusses the relationship of the spatial abilities to the study of geometry. Lists 19 references.…

Discusses the importance of using children's previous experiences with geometric figures to build foundations for developing geometric thinking. Describes how children's play with unit blocks can be structured to give them experiences with geometric concepts. Contains 12 references. (ASK)

Discusses the need for three-dimensional ideas in geometry. Describes a three-year sequence of projects that help develop students' spatial skills. (ASK)

Geometry is viewed as the most neglected area of the elementary school mathematics curriculum. Tangram activities provide numerous worthwhile mathematical experiences for children. A method of constructing tangrams through paper folding is followed by suggested spatial visualization, measurement, and additional activities. (MP)

Summarizes findings from research related to spatial abilities. Provided are suggestions for developing spatial abilities. Lists nine references. (YP)

Presents interesting activities to develop mental imagery and the ability to transform these images. Concludes that using images facilitates mathematical thought in numerical and geometric settings. (ASK)

This volume contains the full text of 2 plenary papers and 26 research reports. In addition, brief, usually one-page, reports are provided for 6 discussion groups, 10 technology focus groups, 7 symposiums, 7 oral presentations, and 17 position sessions. The two full plenary reports are: (1) "Problems of Reification: Representations and…

Spatial concepts are important to the development of many skills, including reasoning and problem solving. Here are guidelines for making geometry learning more effective for elementary-grade students. (Editor)

Describes a unit in which students design a space station. Provided are a timetable for the unit, requirements for space-station manufacturing, and an outline of the unit. Lists nine references. (YP)

Provided are activities for creating tangrams. Illustrates how to make tangrams and use them. (YP)

Presents activities using three-dimensional geometry to develop spatial skills. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (MKR)

Presents an activity involving students in the creation of polyhedra which enables them to understand the characteristics and develop a clear definition of different polyhedra for themselves. This activity helps develop spatial ability by encouraging students to experiment with creating models of polyhedra while using a wide variety of polygons…

Some geometric activities are described that teachers can use to give their students experiences that will influence their spatial abilities. It is noted that the goal is to improve spatial abilities, not to increase knowledge, so individual pupil responses should not be used to judge student achievement. (MP)