In this article, Lindsey Fowler describes how an animal rhyme--that she shared with her fifth-grade students with the intention of assisting them with the concept of metric conversions--made fostering the Standards for Mathematical Practice (SMP) more difficult. The addition of animals, which added an extraneous element that students mistakenly…

The first author's initial attempts at a whole-class mathematics discussion were woefully dysfunctional. Ten second graders showing their answers to a missing addend question about the number of children left riding a school bus did not result in the mathematical epiphany that the textbook promised. She did not give up on using mathematical…

In this article, three instructional situations demonstrate the value of using an "unknown" student's work to allow the advancement of students' mathematical thinking as well as their engagement in the mathematical practice of critiquing the reasoning of others: (1) introducing alternative solution strategies; (2) critiquing inaccuracies…

Mathematics discourse is a teaching approach that encourages student discussion and reveals an understanding of concepts as students engage in mathematical reasoning and debate (Cobb 2006). Grabowski and Ke (2007) posit that students have significantly higher achievement and positive attitudes toward mathematics after participating in gaming…

Skilled instructors observe consistent errors that young children may make in particular situations and seek ways to help children reform their thinking through conceptual understanding. Such teacher observations as those presented at the beginning of this article, combined with similar observations by teachers in other preschool and kindergarten…

Measurement is an important component of K-grade 12 mathematics curricula. The concepts of area and perimeter of polygons are first introduced in third grade and serve as the basis for teaching in the upper grades. Without a strong understanding of measurement, students will struggle to meaningfully grasp three-dimensional measurement concepts…

The study of functions has traditionally received the most attention at the secondary level, both in curricula and in standards documents--for example, the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSI 2010) and "Principles and Standards for School Mathematics" (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics [NCTM] 2000). However, the…

Starting a math club as early as kindergarten and having a range of grade levels in attendance can be successful. With the help of the older students, the varied age groups are entertained and excited about attending math club. The purpose of the club is to enrich the classroom mathematics curriculum with hands-on activities and to have members…

A whimsical mathematics event for children and adults, derived from Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, was held at the Providence Children's Museum in Rhode Island. NCTM's Standards were the basis of all the activities. (Contains 10 figures and 1 table.)

This article describes how third-grade students developed an understanding of the equals sign and began to use relational thinking as they discussed true/false and open-number sentences. The sequence of instructional activities and children's responses to them are provided.

Focuses on subitizing, the ability to recognize small numbers of objects. Discusses when and how it develops and whether it should be taught. Contains 31 references. (ASK)

Presents the problem of doubling dough by creating a mixture of dough that doubles in volume every minute when placed in a warm oven. Discusses ways of proposing this question in the classroom. (ASK)

Discusses how the misuse of symbols, specifically "=", can impede mathematical understanding. Concludes that teachers should help students learn the appropriate meanings for symbols. (ASK)

Presents two activities involving number sense in and around the shopping mall. Activities include estimation, measurement, and applications using percent. Concludes that it is appropriate to help students visualize numbers, particularly large numbers, in a context that is familiar and will be constantly reinforced. (ASK)

Discusses ways in which teachers can use the appealing study of quilts as a tool for teaching mathematics concepts and connecting multicultural history, literacy, and art. (Author/NB)