Emphasis on regular mathematics skill assessment, intervention, and progress monitoring under the RTI model has created a need for the development of assessment instruments that are psychometrically sound, reliable, universal, and brief. Important factors to consider when developing or selecting assessments for the school environment include what…

Basic strategies for developing computational estimation skills are: (1) the front-end strategy, focusing on the front-end digits of the numbers; (2) the rounding strategy, rounding the original numbers to more manageable numbers; (3) the compatible number strategy, changing the original numbers to ones more similar and more manageable; and (4)…

An appeal is made for a more formal treatment of the topics of estimation and reasonableness of answers in the school mathematics curriculum. (MP)

A full-year's applied mathematics curriculum has been constructed around typical situations students may encounter. The curriculum is divided into seven units, two of which are used at various times throughout the year. The units focus on various mathematical aspects related to: (1) money management; (2) shopping; (3) furnishing a room; (4)…

The general combinatorial problem of counting the number of regions into which the interior of a circle is divided by a family of lines is considered. A general formula is developed and its use is illustrated in two situations. (PK)

This report is concerned with the observation that many teenagers and adults are unable to apply arithmetic even when they know how to perform the operations. It is speculated that this is probably due to not having been taught when to use the fundamental operations. Examples of types of "real" problems which require the various…

This monograph aims to provide teachers of grades 7, 8, and 9 with a variety of instructional activities and strategies that identify student difficulties in computing percents and teaching the skills needed for that cluster on the mathematics part of the New Jersey High School Proficiency Test (HSPT). Sections include: (1) "Concepts"…

This project involves devising and evaluating a sales tax schedule to meet the specific revenue needs of a hypothetical state in the United States. Conducting this unit involves many mathematical skills in a learning environment familiar to the student. The essential parts of the project consist of student preparation of a tax schedule and class…

Argues that the effective use of calculators is important for employees in many areas. Suggests ways that schools might incorporate calculators into mathematics instruction. (PK)

Presents three traditional problems from discrete mathematics with alternative solutions and discussion of those solutions. (PK)

Discusses the possible impact of the electronic calculator on mathematics teaching. A short account of the use of calculators at present in the United Kingdom (UK) and a list of references are also included. (HM)

This teacher resource manual has been developed to assist classroom teachers in implementing the Integrated Occupational Mathematics program for grades 8 and 9. The first chapter of this manual gives an introduction including resources and scope/sequence. The next two chapters describe the overviews and instructional strategies of the grade 8 and…

A set of articles with the theme "Mathematics for Real Life" is presented. These article titles are: (1) Teaching Mathematics as a Tool for Problem Solving; (2) New Math or New Education; (3) Hand Calculators and Math in Primary School; (4) Mass Media in the Mathematical Training of Polish Primary Teachers; (5) The Goals of Mathematics Teaching in…

Presents examples of word problems that can be used to illustrate the distributive property for preservice teachers. Includes examples involving extended sums, volume, area, prealgebra, place value, long multiplication, fractions, decimals, and algebra. (MDH)

This handbook is part of a series of three, corresponding to the three grades (4, 6, and 8) at which Mastery Tests are administered. This publication was written as a resource for teachers for developing mathematics programs for students in grades 3 and 4. The Mastery Test in Mathematics at Grade 4 assesses student performance for 25 instructional…