This mathematics activity for K-3 students has students plant and measure the growth of bulbs. The activity teaches them to measure, collect, and graph data. The article presents a list of materials needed, instructions for creating a chart, and sample discussion questions. (SM)

Two articles discuss elementary school mathematics. One focuses on data collection, suggesting a children's counting book, "How Many Feet in the Bed?", to initiate several possible problems. The other offers a measuring activity for finding average heights and a survey activity to determine the characteristics of an average student. (SM)

Presents suggestions for teaching elementary students about shapes and similarities. Primary students can read an illustrated story that encourages observation and discussion of shapes. Intermediate students can cut shapes out of magazines and describe their similarities. Another activity teaches students that geometrically similar figures,…

Across-the-curriculum articles focus on four areas. A math activity describes optical illusions and the properties of shapes. A hands-on science activity presents the chemistry of secret messages. A writing lesson helps students capture the essence of character. An art lesson presents a project on medieval castles. (SM)