Instructional tips help educators carry out recommendations contained in IES Educator's Practice Guides. The tips translate these recommendations into actionable approaches that educators can try in their classrooms. These tips are based on a practice guide authored by Sybilla Beckmann, Mark Driscoll, Megan Franke, Patricia Herzig, Asha Jitendra,…

Instructional tips help educators carry out recommendations contained in IES Educator's Practice Guides. This summary describes the research evidence that supports the use of the instructional tips in classrooms and is based on a practice guide authored by Sybilla Beckmann, Mark Driscoll, Megan Franke, Patricia Herzig, Asha Jitendra, Kenneth R.…

Describes a fifth-grade student solving the "Food for Thought" problem featured in the February 1998 issue. (ASK)

Shares a problem-solving activity in which the aim is to find out how fifth-grade students would approach a nontraditional problem in which several conditions had to be met. Asks teachers to consider student observations in their teaching. (ASK)

Describes a typical fifth-grade mathematics lesson as taught in a Japanese elementary school, followed by a reflective commentary focused on problem solving, using manipulative aids, and multiple solutions. (ASK)

Alternative techniques are suggested to some of the conventional approaches to teaching problem solving. Three general, conventional approaches are noted, and the nature and use of visual thinking is detailed as the fourth alternative. Examples of lessons with fifth graders using the fourth approach are provided to promote this method. (MP)

Introduces mathematical guessing games to teach algebra that motivate students in learning mathematics by stimulating their curiosity and problem-solving abilities. (ASK)

Textbook analyses for 1924, 1944, and 1984, suggest that the mathematics program regressed in expectations for students. The number of word problems in fifth-grade books has decreased and the amount of drill problems increased. (MNS)

The logical mysteries in this book are designed to develop critical thinking and deductive reasoning skills, motivate children to read carefully, and develop memory skills. The mystery solutions are explained at the end of the book. The first nine mysteries are intended for third grade students to work on with their teacher or parents. The second…

Presents a problem for grades 3-6 on number concepts and computation. Also provides guidelines for teachers to improve problem-solving practices in their classrooms. (ASK)

Students compose original stories that incorporate nonroutine problems which contribute logically to the plot of the story. Examples and suggestions from work with fifth graders and preservice elementary teachers are given. (MNS)

There is plenty of "math on the menu" in the series of activities featured in this book. Students help the Rosada family start a Mexican restaurant featuring a variety of tostadas. Over the course of the unit, students apply different problem-solving strategies as they plan and expand the menu, determine different combinations of ingredients,…

Presented are the solutions generated by a fifth grade class to the problem of finding the sum of the number of blocks in a pyramid with a bottom layer containing seven blocks. Three methods were recorded: a levels method, a columns method, and a vertical slice method. (MDH)

With the current supply of fossil fuels slowly diminishing, the people of the 21st century will face a drastic change in their lives. If students become aware of the problem now, they will be able to participate in the technological and social innovations that the depletion of fossil fuel supplies will demand of society in the future. This unit…

Data are presented for problem-solving content of selected elementary school mathematics textbooks and problem-solving achievement for students in Iowa for grades 4-6 for selected years between 1955 and 1985. Relationships between textbook content and student achievement are considered. (RH)