The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) publishes practice guides in education to bring the best available evidence and expertise to bear on current challenges in education. Authors of practice guides combine their expertise with the findings of rigorous research, when available, to develop specific recommendations for addressing these…

In this article, the author presents three different tasks that can be used to assess students' understanding of the concept of length. Three important measurement concepts for students to understand are transitive reasoning, use of identical units, and iteration. In any teaching and learning process it is important to acknowledge students'…

Teachers know that Differentiated Instruction (DI) helps all students to learn. Yet DI challenges teachers, and nowhere more than in mathematics. In this new book, written specifically for secondary mathematics teachers, the authors cut through the difficulties with two powerful and universal strategies that teachers can use across all math…

The development of the idea that "The essence of mathematics lies in its freedom," a quotation from Cantor, is discussed. Several examples are given of relative truth, and the problem of consistency is discussed. Mathematics and its relationship to the physical world is also explored. (MNS)

A simple and practical application of mathematics is for fairly resolving the dispute of division of items for which two parties have equal claim. Basic properties of fair division are explained, which would enable students to learn concepts on optimization without introducing calculus.

Suggests a theoretical framework to address some phenomena of mathematical behavior. Defines the terms "pseudo-conceptual" and "pseudo-analytical" and analyzes examples from classrooms, exams, and homework within the framework. (Author/AIM)

This investigation designed for grades three through six centers on the relationship between area and perimeter when solving a problem related to designing a garden. Goals include using area and perimeter in an authentic situation, generating hypotheses, and exploring congruence. (AIM)

Discusses what is meant by a process being described as chaotic and how such situations come about. Argues that clarifying this concept is particularly important because understanding chaos helps cure far more fundamental common misconceptions. (ASK)

The theorem is seen as the foundation for large-sample statistical inferences, and is usually difficult for students to understand because one expects to take only one sample from a population. A description of how a table of random numbers readily available to students could be used is provided. (MP)

Describes how mathematical understanding grows and develops while children play with the mathematical ideas they see emerging as they hear and talk about the story "Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt". (Author/NB)

Presented are several geometrical and graphical methods of solving quadratic equations. Discussed are Greek origins, Carlyle's method, von Staudt's method, fixed graph methods and imaginary solutions. (CW)

Presented are five short articles which describe innovations in mathematics teaching. Included are "Polar Summation,""The Age of the Solar System,""Forward Homework--A Motivational Tool,""Trigonometric Identities through Calculus," and "Algorithms for Evaluation of Polynomials." (CW)

A hypothetical classroom discussion is used to present concepts and problems students can master. Three computer programs are listed for binomial probabilities. (MNS)

The Weight Problem of Bachet de Meziriac is described, which looks for four integral weights to measure every amount between one and forty kilograms. Discussed are generalizations of the problem and analogous problems, solutions of particular cases, and a solution of the general problem. (MP)

Ways of teaching students to read scales are presented as process instructions that are probably overlooked or taken for granted by most instructors. Scales on such devices as thermometers, rulers, spring scales, speedometers, and thirty-meter tape are discussed. (MP)