This practicum was designed to improve and increase the problem-solving skills of third-grade students. Using a specially designed 20-item test consisting of mathematical word problems, a preassessment was made of the addition and subtraction skills of 843 third-grade students from high, middle, and low socioeconomic levels in four Florida…

This paper presents an examination of the construction of logic in multidigit subtraction. Interviews were conducted with 90 grade 2 and grade 3 students to determine whether they understood the logic of borrowing and whether the construction of the logic was related to procedural expertise or corresponding conceptual knowledge. Of 34 students…

Describes a rural school system's successful efforts to help second- and third-grade students master basic facts in arithmetic by developing and using audiotaped material for addition and subtraction. Explains the development of the three-phase tapes. Notes the improvement of students' attitudes and the disappearance of finger counting. (SB)

This study probed children's reasoning about both correct and incorrect but plausible statements of hypothetical children concerning the concepts of subtraction, with the intention of examining misconceptions in greater depth. Eight third graders, 14 fourth graders, and 14 fifth graders were interviewed individually to assess their understanding…

The National Science Foundation funded Calculators and Mathematics Project, Los Angeles (CAMP-LA) developed curriculum materials focused solely on the use of calculators. The project was developed in three stages. The first stage studied the mathematics curriculums from different states and identified topics that are not included but should be if…