Despite the importance of computational estimation skill for the improvement of number sense, little research exists on preservice teachers' estimation skills and their view on estimation in the US context. This study examined the computational estimation skill of 58 preservice elementary teachers (PSTs) and its relationship to their views of the…

Discusses the changing perceptions of numeracy in a changing world, and puts forward arguments for integrating calculator use into the earliest school years. (Author/ASK)

Suggestions for using handheld calculators are given. Students can invent and check their own problems. The calculator can debug problems, provide practice, aid in developing concepts of place value, decimals, order of operations, powers of a number, and evaluation of formulas. (KM)

Presents an activity on number concepts using a calculator. Suggests that by using a calculator, students can search for patterns and identify them more quickly. This activity helps students make mathematical connections about divisibility rules, carry out investigations, make sense of what happened, and continue their investigation by creating…

Instruction of three children using calculators for a ten-week period resulted in achievement gains. (MNS)

Calculator use by kindergarten and first-grade pupils was examined to see whether they could perceive and use the "counter button." Results indicated pupils at this age could use calculators as a tool, and further research is encouraged. (MP)

Discusses the Tiles and Sides problem from the December 2000 issue. Indicates that this problem is accessible to students at different grade levels. Presents samples of student responses and their teachers' analysis. (KHR)

Describes an activity in which students investigate the symmetry of factor sets of composite numbers using the TI-83 graphing calculator. This activity allows students to observe patterns, make predictions, and verify their accuracy. (ASK)

Procedures for using a calculator to check addition and subtraction problems in bases less than 10 are described. (SD)

A calculator activity, described as a bingo game, emphasizes speedy calculations as well as problem solving. (JT)

Calculator activities for grade 1 are presented. Included are introductory activities, such as keying and finding patterns, and skill lessons, with such topics as ordering number, greater than and less than, estimation, and problem solving included. (MNS)

Exercises are used when beginning work with calculators to help pupils think about what they are doing. Four worksheets are included, with discussion of their objectives. (MNS)

An experimental program using the calculator in third, fourth, and fifth grades is described. Three example lessons are included, on (1) subtraction with regrouping, (2) estimation, and (3) number theory: Quadratics. (MK)

Developing numerical relationships with calculators is emphasized. Calculators furnish some needed support for students as they investigate the value of fractions as the numerators or denominators change. An example with Logo programing for computers is also included. (MNS)

Presents an activity in which students build their flexibility in using numbers and explore the connections between numbers and their representations with base-10 materials using the TI-15 calculator. (ASK)