Developing an understanding of place value and the base-ten number system is considered a fundamental goal of the early primary grades. For years, teachers have anecdotally reported that students struggle with place-value concepts. Among the common errors cited are misreading such numbers as 26 and 62 by seeing them as identical in meaning,…

The authors compared the performance of students who received integration of number sense activities in instruction with students who received instruction using regular mathematics textbooks. Two classes of third-grade students (N = 60) were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Students in each group were given a pretest, post I…

Students around the world have difficulties in learning about fractions. In many countries, the average student never gains a conceptual knowledge of fractions. This research guide provides suggestions for teachers and administrators looking to improve fraction instruction in their classrooms or schools. The recommendations are based on a…

Tests for divisibility in bases 2 through 10 are presented. Two strategies used by a group of fourth-year students are described. (MNS)

An activity providing practice with whole number addition and subtraction, as well as enlarging on the idea of numeration systems, is described. (DT)

Number bases other than ten can be introduced effectively by presenting fictional civilizations which use them. (SD)

The system of International Standard Book Numbers uses a check code based on modular arithmetic. This system, the use of a simple machine to compute check digits, and related classroom activities are described. (SD)

Activities involving set union and intersection, graphing solutions of open sentences, and negation are described. These activities afford students with opportunities for computational practice as well as instruction on equations and inequalities. (SD)

A series of activities designed to help primary school children understand the meaning of the term "fraction," the symbolization, and equivalence of fractions are presented. Identification of units and pictorial representation are stressed, as is the uses of concrete materials. (SD)

Presented are several methods of introducing nondecimal numeration systems to elementary grade students. Various activities for grouping and/or visual displays are used. Games which incorporate nondecimal grouping ideas are also presented. (JP)

A method of identification of pigs used by farmers is described as an application of a base three numeration system. (MP)

The concepts of number sense and numeration, operations, and whole-number computations and their importance are discussed. Activities cover developing concepts of operations, exploring patterns and relationships, and building an understanding of mathematical structure. (KR)

This pamphlet consists of 17 brief chapters, each containing a discussion of a numeration system and a set of problems on the use of that system. The numeration systems used include Egyptian fractions, ordinary continued fractions and variants of that method, and systems using positive and negative bases. The book is informal and addressed to…

The title of this mathematics text for preservice elementary teachers is intended to suggest the book's theme of mathematics as an abstraction from human experience with sticks (lines, segments), stones (sets, counting) and other objects. An introductory chapter which describes the objectives of the author and discusses learning and attitudes…

The focus is on using the hundred chart to discover patterns, make predictions and generalizations, and visualize the number system in an organized manner. Four worksheets are on even-odd numbers (Levels 1-2), digits (Levels 3-5 and 5-6), and percentages (Levels 7-8). (MNS)