Describes the use of lesson starters called Snappies to sharpen numeracy skills. Discusses teachers' views of Snappies, the difficulties of using them, and their impacts on pupils' performance in and perceptions of mathematics. (ASK)

Describes an exploration into the concept of the rate of convergence in a university classroom. It is well known in mathematics that this concept leads to a modern construction of infinitesimals and their orders. (Author)

The use of technology allows students to look at mathematical concepts in many different ways. With a variety of perspectives, studying ideas that were at one time difficult to understand are possible. Mathematics learning focuses more on concepts and less on computations. Various sequences including arithmetic, geometric, and partial sum can be…

Explores how students interpret algebraic notation and what teachers can do to support appropriate interpretations. Presents two research-based strategies and concludes that in the face of reform and technological advances, finding a definition for symbol sense takes on added significance. Contains 22 references. (ASK)

Reports on the findings of a research project involving decimals and students' misconceptions about them. Offers some practical activities that may help children understand decimals better. (ASK)

Explores misconceptions that students hold about sampling techniques on surveys. Highlights students' thinking and instructional implications from two studies that examined upper-elementary students' written and oral explanations as they responded to survey situations. (ASK)

Describes and analyzes a learning episode in which two children in year 4 interact with each other and their teacher while playing a probability game involving chocolate M&Ms. Children developed key ideas in probability from a game that was designed to produce cognitive conflict. (ASK)

Explores useful ways of teaching the volume of pyramids using cubic blocks and spreadsheets. Presents a lesson plan with teaching suggestions. (KHR)

Presents research findings and suggestions on how children learn to categorize shapes. Discusses specific ways to present developmentally appropriate activities designed to enhance children's understanding of basic shapes. Contains 12 references. (ASK)

Presents an overview of the geometry findings of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and ways to use problems from the study to assess students' understanding of geometry. (ASK)

Recommends conducting interviews with students in order to grasp their understanding of fractions and provides interview questions. Presents results of a study using those interview questions and concludes student responses fell into three main categories: (1) described a mental image of an object; (2) drew a model of the fraction using a circle…