The development of the place value system and its universal use demonstrate the elegance and efficiency of mathematics. This paper examines the concept of place value by: (1) presenting the historical development of the concept of place value in the Hindu-Arabic system; (2) considering the evolution of the number zero and its role in place value;…

Shares an experience from a mathematics methods course for elementary teachers that used concrete materials to teach the concept of rounding in different bases. Discusses how this experience modeled recommendations by the NCTM "Professional Teaching Standards" in creating classroom climate and conducting discussion. (MDH)

Techniques used to teach a class of seven- and eight-year-old learning-disabled students to tell time are described. Students first practiced counting by 1s and 5s around a clock with no hands before being introduced to the differing functions of the minute and hour hands. (VW)

Some children ignore traditional methods and use intuitive math shortcuts. This demonstrates an understanding of the structure of numbers that should be cultivated in every child. Teaching strategies and shortcuts can nurture this intuitive understanding and give children real insight into numbers. (MT)

A strategy is presented for teaching arithmetic to students with mental retardation, based on subitizing, skill of recognizing number of objects in a set without actually counting, and pattern recognition. The strategy helps children understand concept of addition by representing number configurations on 5-frames and 10-frames, and reduces need…

Reported are the findings of a study of over seven hundred fourth-, sixth-, and eighth-grade pupils' ability to understand division involving zero. Implications for the classroom are discussed, including suggested teaching strategies. (JP)

The use of the hundred chart is discussed as an effective means of teaching the concepts of least common multiple and greatest common factor. (MP)

A series of carefully planned activities is described for introducing first-grade students to place value with two-digit numerals. (JT)

Indicates that there has been a lot of work done and that a great deal needs to be done in the future to explore the world of children's early number. Discusses the counting, the use of algorithm, practical mathematics, the use of manipulatives, individual differences and pedagogical concerns, and classroom applications. Contains 18 references.…

Presents reform efforts aiming to combat underachievement in mathematics through the introduction of successful Continental pedagogy into the teaching of number concepts. Discusses the pedagogy and its introduction into the Borough's schools. Addresses some criticisms that have been leveled at the reforms. (ASK)

A solid understanding of equivalent fractions is considered a steppingstone towards a better understanding of operations with fractions. In this article, 55 rural Australian students' conceptions of equivalent fractions are presented. Data collected included students' responses to a short written test and follow-up interviews with three students…

Wishing to explore the complexity of the conceptual, didactic and institutional aspects of learning a scientifically defined object of knowledge, we chose to study the link between the personal relation to numeration developed by six-year-old pupils in first grade ("cours preparatoire" the first level of primary school in France), and…

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)

A six-step method of teaching subtraction by renaming is presented, using money as the learning vehicle. (MP)

After prime factors of a set of numbers are listed, geometric shapes are used to find the prime factors of the least common multiple (LCM). (MNS)