Understanding is one of the four key proficiencies in the "Australian Curriculum: Mathematics" and arguably the pivot on which mathematics depends. This case study investigated preservice teachers' understanding and ability to articulate some measurement concepts. Data were gathered from 23 preservice teachers who voluntarily…

The concept of a tangent is important in understanding many topics in mathematics and science. Earlier studies on students' understanding of the concept of a tangent have reported that they have various misunderstandings and experience difficulties in transferring their knowledge about the tangent line from Euclidean geometry into calculus. In…

This submission contains the Proceedings of the 2015 Annual Meeting of the Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group (CMESG), held at the Université de Moncton in Moncton, New Brunswick. The CMESG is a group of mathematicians and mathematics educators who meet annually to discuss mathematics education issues at all levels of learning. The aims of…

There were 120 pupils in years 1 to 5 from two schools which were interviewed using specially prepared tasks to study the variety of interpretations given to letters by adolescents. Results indicate that two distinct conceptual understandings of the role played by a letter in relation to geometrical data exist in pupil's thinking. (Author/TG)

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)

Examples and nonexamples of geometric concepts are discussed. Four guidelines for selecting and using geometric examples and nonexamples are presented. (MK)

The value and technique of pre-geometry and geometry instruction in the primary grades are discussed. Geometric concepts such as open and closed figures, connectedness, similarity, congruence, straightness, and angle are presented through suggested activities, lesson plans, and evaluation procedures. (SD)

This paper reports two experiments related to elementary school children's learning of geometric concepts. The geometry experiment investigated the effects of location of practice problems within a programmed text; the polygon experiment involved two variables, number of illustrative examples presented, and number of practice problems given. Both…

Describes an activity which provides a starting point for exploring geometric concepts through language. The activity incorporates three general ideas: (1) relating to personal experience; (2) integrating with other disciplines; and (3) requiring students to express their ideas. A sample activity would include writing a story about what life would…

Discusses ways in which teachers can use the appealing study of quilts as a tool for teaching mathematics concepts and connecting multicultural history, literacy, and art. (Author/NB)

Describes seven spatial abilities related to mathematics including eye-motor coordination, figure-ground perception, perceptual constancy, position-in-space perception, perception of spatial relationships, visual discrimination, and visual memory. Discusses the relationship of the spatial abilities to the study of geometry. Lists 19 references.…

The nature of measurement, the standard measurement concepts are discussed in terms of children's preconceptions and activities for building measurement concepts through primary school instruction. A broad range of activities including counting, computation, calibration, and relating measure to size is presented. The metric system is briefly…

Activities involving copying, enlarging, and translating stick figures can enhance students' understanding of graphs. (SD)

This book reinforces the outstanding work done by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) in developing curriculum standards for students in kindergarten through fourth grade by discussing the 13 strands of mathematics and their implications for teachers and parents who work with students. It also provides some suggested resources…

This book contains activities designed to help teachers enrich the mathematical experiences of all children and reach toward fulfillment of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards. Chapters include: (1) "Prenumber, Number, Non-Number"; (2) "Place Value"; (3) "Addition, Subtraction"; (4)…