The outdoors can offer children a rich space for learning and inspires authentic mathematical opportunities. The author describes the experiences her kindergarten students have when when they spend many hours each day, exploring their vast play yard and engaging in play-based activities typically done inside a classroom. She also chronicles the…

This article describes how a teacher in Mexico City worked with two researchers on an instructional design project to help kindergartners become proficient in participating in whole-class mathematical conversations.

In the rural community of Santa Avelina in the Highlands of Guatemala, it indeed takes a village to develop children's mathematical understanding through a partnership among school, home, and community. Connections to real-life applications, such as the planting and growing of corn, shape the learning experiences of these children so that they…

Offers weekly activities for students to explore mathematics from different cultures. (ASK)

This article describes an exploration activity involving Mayan numerals, which can be adapted by teachers at various levels to help students better understand the concept of place value and appreciate contributions to mathematics made by an indigenous Central American culture.

Explains how to use the Chinese numeration system to enhance student understanding of place value. Includes sample activities. (Author/NB)

Introduces a collection of mathematics activities that use Spain and Spanish culture as the setting for activities that involve graphing, estimation, logical reasoning, geometry, measurement, and computation. These activities are designed to appeal directly to students. (KHR)

Presents an overview of the geometry findings of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and ways to use problems from the study to assess students' understanding of geometry. (ASK)

Investigates different approaches of students from different cultures to problems and problem-solving strategies. Suggests ways to encourage students to use algebraic strategies. Provides some action research ideas for teachers to try in their classrooms. Contains 11 references. (ASK)