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…

This interdisciplinary environmental education guide, developed by teachers, focuses on the creative teacher, presenting him/her an approach for involving all types of students in junior and senior high schools in activities which would cause them to evaluate values and give them an opportunity to express their own thoughts. The guide includes six…

Instructional materials designed to increase creative thinking abilities and language achievement were used in nine training conditions with children in grades 4, 5, and 6. Results indicated that treatment conditions were most effective at the 4th grade level, where at least one treatment was effective for all variables. At the 5th grade, two…

A major goal of the elementary and secondary schools is to help each person become an efficient and autonomous learner. Outlined in this report are skills abstracted from the literature on such topics as verbal learning, problem solving, study habits, and behavior modification. The learner-oriented skills are presented so that they may be…

This economics simulation game complements the third grade Gold Mining Unit developed by Project Social Studies at the University of Minnesota. The simulation is designed for three purposes: 1) to reinforce the prior learning which occurs in the gold mining camp unit; 2) to involve eight-year-olds in the process of solving simulated economic…

Social problem solving was taught to four groups of third and fourth graders: (1) control; (2) video modeling tapes; (3) tapes plus discussion; and (4) tapes plus role playing. Significant treatment effects were revealed on problem solving thinking, group interaction, and locus of control. (Author/GDC)

Outlines a teaching/learning strategy in which students design an urban settlement of the future. The task emphasizes process as content and stresses problem solving which will be applicable to future experiences. (Author/AV)

Suggestions are offered for using computers to solve scientific problems rather than focusing on computer science itself. Suggested are scientific language programming, assembly-language programming, and logical design and business language programming. A summary of available equipment and some suggestions for program implementation are included.…

Ten activities that give learners in grades 5-8 a chance to explore mathematics with calculators are provided. The activity cards involve such topics as odd addends, magic squares, strange projects, and conjecturing rules. (MNS)

Discusses typical uses of databases and data management programs in the classroom; provides a learning plan to teach students how to use databases; lists typical student projects using databases; and presents criteria to help educators choose appropriate database management programs for their classrooms. (MBR)

Presents a writing assignment that requires lawyers in a technical writing class to address the needs of a client who is unhappy with a lawyer and with the language used by the lawyer in a legal document. (FL)

This book serves as a guide for educators who want to know about and use problem-based learning (PBL) in their schools. Chapter 1 provides anecdotal reports by teachers and students, including examples from universities as well as elementary and secondary education. Chapter 2 gives an overview of PBL for those who want to learn more about the…

This study examines the use of question prompts and peer interactions as scaffolding strategies to help undergraduate students with their problem-solving processes on an ill-structured task. The mixed research method, combining both experimental and comparative multiple-case studies, was used to study the outcomes as well as the processes of…

Fourteen probability activities are presented, categorized as activities with impossible and certain events, mystery bags, decks of cards, dice, spinners, and flipping. They help children develop an intuitive understanding of probability. (MNS)