Argues that educators must move away from a computation-dominated curriculum to a curriculum that stresses problem solving and understanding. States that small group instruction is appropriate for this type of curriculum. (PCB)

Leaders in mathematics education are calling for a reorganization of the mathematics curriculum around concept development and problem solving. For many elementary teachers, the limitations of their knowledge about mathematics and teaching mathematics constrains their ability to teach conceptually. If prospective elementary teachers are to…

Discusses cooperative groups in mathematics classes. Suggests problems appropriate for cooperative groups, gives examples and guidelines for cooperative group members. (PK)

Describes how shared learning activities, including cooperative learning, collaborative learning, and small group learning, can develop critical reading and problem-solving skills. Discusses the teacher's role in guiding shared learning activities. (MM)

This article describes how teachers combined schoolwide enrichment and differentiated instruction models to design a fifth-grade fantasy literature unit. Small groups explored novels to learn the germane content and genre characteristics and then regrouped to refine and apply what was learned to a variety of open-ended problems. (Contains…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not children manifesting different cognitive styles also behave differently in small-group instructional situations. Six groups of seven children each engaged in a small group videotaped learning experience in which they were to learn the English equivalent of 75 symbols. Analysis of the data…

Describes an ongoing project involving 23 second grade teachers who are teaching all mathematics, including computation, through small-group problem solving and whole class discussion. The authors suggest that teachers are generally successful in creating a "problem-solving atmosphere" and consequently the children persist in attempting…

Describes a partnership project where each fourth and fifth grade classroom of an elementary school has a "buddy class" at a neighboring middle school. Elementary and middle school students work together in solving scientific or mathematical problems. Helps students at both schools improve their math and science skills as well as their…

Discussed is the research project that used small-group problem solving as a primary instructional strategy of second grade mathematics for an entire year. The mutual construction of classroom norms for cooperative learning style is illustrated and examples of resulting learning opportunities are given. (MDH)

The later effects of the Direct Instruction Follow Through program were assessed in five diverse sites in the United States. Low income fifth and sixth graders who had completed the full 3 years of this first through third-grade program were tested on the Metropolitan Achievement Test (MAT), Intermediate Level, and the Wide Range Achievement Test…

The Arizona Essential Skills states that development of problem-solving ability is the top priority of mathematics education. This study presents results of a survey of 744 K-8 teachers--631 females and 113 males--designed to investigate the current nature of mathematical problem-solving instruction in Arizona K-8 classrooms and the extent to…

Presents a replication study to determine the effects of an innovative activity-centered biology program on attitudes toward science teaching among 159 prospective elementary teachers. Concludes that the course was influential in promoting positive teacher attitudes toward science and science teaching and recommends that the course be incorporated…

Reports an example of one lesson from a sequence of lessons on fractions from a sixth grade class in which the teacher revises her plans after observing students' small-group work and interactions. The lesson illustrated the teacher's knowledge of mathematics, how students think, and how to observe that thinking. (MDH)

Describes study that was designed to explore the verbal interaction and problem solving behaviors occurring within small learning groups of fourth graders working cooperatively on a computer-assisted problem solving task. Ability groupings are described and factors relating to the successful completion of the task are discussed. (28 references)…

Proposes the method of student-generated story problems to supplement textbook problems, generate student interest, and bring real-life situations into the mathematics classroom. Gives steps to initiate the method that incorporates small groups and peer teaching to develop problem-solving and problem-posing abilities. (MDH)