Young children have been taught simple sequences of alternating shapes and colors, referred to as "patterning", for the past half century in the hope that their understanding of pre-algebra and their mathematics achievement would be improved. The evidence that such patterning instruction actually improves children's academic achievement…

A map-drawing task was used to test the effects of (1) presenting instruction at a cognitive level higher than that at which most of the students in the study were operating and of (2) presenting instruction to groups of students of differing cognitive levels. Subjects were 63 fifth grade students. (JMB)

The author argues that many who speak to the issues of elementary-school mathematics are not aware of the real problems. The clear objective of the teacher of young children is to provide them with experiences which will enhance their development. (SD)

This study was concerned with student transition from concrete to formal cognitive functioning. Results of training 32 fifth-grade and 32 seventh-grade students indicated that instruction can effect the desired transition of ability to isolate and control variables. (SL)

A detailed account is given of the activities of children during their free-choice class periods for two days. (MP)

In this, the third article in a series on the author's teaching methods, the teaching of fractions is described. The author examines the types of errors which children commonly make. (SD)

One girl's achievements in pattern-making are related with the intent of examining the way children think and the character and quality of the intellectual growth. (MP)

Investigated in this study was the relationship between an inquiry approach to science instruction and language development. Four classes of sixth-grade children from two socioeconomic groups participated in the study. The treatment consisted of 12 inquiry film sessions and six discussion sessions, each session 40 minutes in length. At the end of…

Three components of a curriculum organized to facilitate a concept acquisition process are discussed. These are concrete experiences related to a concept, skill development activities and applications. (MP)

The development of numeracy is discussed as being an important aspect of the learning process. (MP)

Data were collected on tactics used when making a sequence of set comparisons in terms of more or equal number. (MP)

Preoperational and concrete-operational first and second graders performed on a training task and a generalization task prior to and after serving in one of five instructional groups. The instructional groups were: no-training control, specific self-instruction, specific didactic control, general self-instruction and general didactic control.…

Research on mathematics learning is integrated and organized around groups of questions emerging from the primary classroom. Subjects covered include attitudes, diagnosis, readiness, effective use of concrete and manipulative materials, the role of language and vocabulary, presentation of specific content and techniques, selection of algorithms…

Piaget's theory of cognitive development is explained, especially in relation to the teaching of elementary school science. Several research projects involving Piaget's theories are reviewed. (MLH)

This study was designed to assess the effects of teaching the concept of interior volume, and methods of computing this volume, on the ability of fith-grade students to conserve volume. Conservation of volume was measured by an instrument developed by Lovell and Ogilvie. Instruction was in a mode compatible with the majority of elementary…