Students are faced with many transitions in their middle school mathematics classes. To build knowledge, skills, and confidence in the key areas of algebra and geometry, students often need to practice using numbers and polygons in a variety of contexts. Teachers also want students to explore ideas from probability and statistics. Teachers know…

Notes on divisibility using manipulative materials, cyclic groups of functions, Horner's method of synthetic division, arc lengths of cycloids and cardioids, number squares, and students' concepts of mathematics. (MM)

Reviewed are the Avon materials and a set of kits for teaching the metric system. (MM)

Multi-shaped blocks can be used to help young children develop many mathematical concepts and abilities. Several suggestions for using these blocks to create problem situations through which children develop concepts are offered. (SD)

A collection of articles from the ARITHMETIC TEACHER is presented which are about practical, classroom-tested ideas for the instruction and use of teacher-made instructional aids. These entries deal only with manipulative type aids. They have been selected for the clarity of purpose and relationship to contemporary topics in the elementary school…

Describes the British primary school approach to mathematics learning. (MM)

Homemade geostrips, "angle-fixers" (cardboard circular sectors) and brass fasteners can be used by students to explore properties of angles, triangles and other polygons. Several games and other activities are suggested. (SD)

Wooden cubes can be used with task cards and teacher-made materials to develop and reinforce learning of linear measurement, area and multiplication, volume and surface area. Students can use cubes to cover area and fill boxes; later they learn to make boxes to fit specified numbers of cubes. (SD)

Directions are presented for the construction and use of line-segment strips. Examples demonstrate activities, integrate elementary geometry and arithmetic instruction. (JP)

Described are activities for thinking through patterns using toothpicks, paper strips, wooden cubes, and people patterns; thinking with attribute items such as geocards, namestrips, and treasures; and thinking with geometric materials such as geoboards and dot paper, cubes, and simple puzzle pieces. (MNS)

Multibase arithmetic blocks are used to investigate the minimum number of blocks of each size to make a square of a given size in a given base. Generalizations are made to any size and any base through pattern recognition. The problem is extended to rectangles, cubes, and rectangular solids. (LS)