A common goal for mathematics teachers at any grade level is for "all" students--not just future mathematics teachers--to develop deep understanding of the mathematics they are learning and using. To that end, this lesson can be used in an upper-level high school mathematics course to introduce the concept of a radian in a way that…

After a unit on the rules for positive and negative numbers and the order of operations for evaluating algebraic expressions, many students believe that they understand these principles well enough, but they really do not. They clearly need more practice, but not more of the same kind of drill. Wallace-Gomez provides three graphing activities that…

The author and his first-year algebra students explored the quadratic behavior behind the parabolic shape of fountains at the local family splash park. This hands-on discovery project has three main parts: (1) gathering data by experimenting with and photographing the fountains; (2) analyzing the photographs to obtain numerical data; and (3)…

A WebQuest is an inquiry-based lesson plan that uses the Internet. This article explains what a WebQuest is, shows how to create one, and provides an example. When engaged in a WebQuest, students use technology to experience cooperative learning and discovery learning while honing their research, writing, and presentation skills. It has been found…

In many mathematics classes, students are asked to learn via the discovery method, in the hope that the intrinsic beauty of mathematics becomes more accessible and that making conjectures, forming hypotheses, and analyzing patterns will help them compute fluently and solve problems creatively and resourcefully (NCTM 2000). The activity discussed…

"Principles and Standards for School Mathematics" (NCTM 2000) proposes that mathematics instruction provide opportunities for students to engage in mathematical inquiry and in meaning-making through discourse. Mathematics teachers are encouraged to build on student discoveries in designing subsequent instruction. In this article, the author…

The importance of teaching mathematics as a body of strategies and methods of inquiry is stressed; examples of situations which emphasize skills in classification, generalization, using symbols, and proof are given. (DT)

Presents a geometric discovery involving the use of a trapezoid as a base for a pyramid. Includes reproducible student worksheet to be used as a group-discovery exercise. (MKR)

Learning through discovery and inquiry is one of the cornerstones of mathematics education theory. The examples provide scope for the students to rediscover mathematics in an enjoyable way.

The problem of determining the number of squares having vertices at pegs on geoboard is considered. (DT)

Describes a combinatorics problem involving pizza toppings. Includes three activity sheets. (Author/NB)

The examination by students of the associative property of a binary operation is used to illustrate how students can be involved in mathematical discovery. (MP)

A series of activities are presented on worksheets marked off with lattice points (like a geoboard). Students are led to discover and apply Pick's Theorem for finding the area of a polygon whose vertices are lattice points. (JP)