Most of the research on mathematical and scientific thinking has been concerned with uncovering knowledge structures and reasoning processes in people of different levels of competence. How these structures and processes are acquired has only recently become a major concern. Thus, some of the major research on mathematical and scientific thinking…

This article describes the instructional efforts and success of two first grade teachers who cooperated in a year-long subtraction study with a university research team. Performance profiles of students in the experimental and control groups are presented, and implications for teaching are discussed. (PK)

Analyzes instructional theory requirements and suggests that structural learning theories meet these requirements. Essentials of such theories are illustrated in the context of designing an instructional unit on subtraction. Structural learning theories are then described more generally and contrasted with cognitive theories. Implications for…