The importance of teaching students to communicate mathematically is discussed. Examined are ways to develop this skill. Activities and open-ended questions are included. The use of physical materials, cooperative groups, listening skills, and writing are stressed. (KR)

Cooperative learning situations are described in which children work in small groups toward a mutual goal. When such groups should be used are included, with classroom examples. (MNS)

Focuses on student organization, preparation, and presentation of simple foods (beverage, brownies, sloppy-joe sandwiches) as a way to apply various mathematical concepts, with problem-solving techniques being central to almost all the activities. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (MKR)

Discusses how a single problem can be utilized to discuss mathematical skills and concepts at several different levels. Presents a problem involving fractions examined at the following four levels according to the abilities of the students: (1) finding solutions; (2) identifying methods for finding solutions; (3) exploring similar examples; and…

In using manipulative materials in an elementary mathematics classroom, each student can be placed in a cooperative-task group, with each member of the group interdependently performing a specific function. This article describes in detail an activity utilizing pentominoes that demonstrates how such a classroom management system can be…

Presents a unit of study involving tangrams that integrates geometric relationships, scale drawings, graphing, patterns, and logical thinking. Provides worksheets for independent and cooperative activities to discover geometric shapes using a specified number of tangram pieces. (MDH)

Describes four activities for grade levels K-3, 4-5, and 6-8 and for the family that explore statistical concepts using a manipulative familiar to students-SKITTLES candies. Concepts explored include frequency graphs, data collection and analysis, probability, measures of central tendency, averaging, and correlation coefficients. Includes…

Presents a three-phase process that connects writing and cooperative problem solving to each other and to mathematical skills and concepts. The three phases are: (1) writing to communicate mathematics; (2) cooperative learning; and (3) problem solving. Provides examples illustrating each phase. (MDH)

Described is an instructional strategy that has incorporated a form of cooperative learning. The three parts of this method are presented as a multimodal discussion cycle. The use of this method with students having special learning needs in mathematics has been found to be particularly effective. (KR)

Describes an activity in which students utilize mathematical communication and reasoning skills to develop a class constitution. Students brainstorm rules for their classroom in cooperative-learning groups, classify them into categories, and justify their decision to the class. (MDH)

Discusses a problem in which students are asked to determine a way of cutting the corners off different denominations of paper currency enabling visually impaired individuals to distinguish between the bills with the condition that further cuts will not increase the value of the bills. Reconstructs a solution from classroom experiences. (MDH)

Presents six strategies to develop appropriate mathematical applications for middle school children: (1) change the name; (2) make problems appealing; (3) encourage group work; (4) let students generate story problems; (5) encourage a positive attitude; and (6) keep students motivated. Illustrates strategies with three examples involving…

Discusses results of an action research study of second-grade students' group work which indicated that, when students were not given sample solutions for problems, they were more likely to use higher order thinking, take ownership of strategies, discuss solutions longer, and be more accepting of other views. (MKR)

Describes the "number 2 arithmetic challenge," an activity in which students score points by creating examples using the number 2 that satisfy an unknown rule. Computers are utilized to verify and record examples. Conflicts with computer responses create situations to explore negative numbers, fractions, mixed numbers, the order of…

Describes a technique using a color-coded holistic scoring system to achieve greater understanding of the assessment process on the part of students by having them score classmates' solutions to a problem. (MKR)