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…

The outdoors can offer children a rich space for learning and inspires authentic mathematical opportunities. The author describes the experiences her kindergarten students have when when they spend many hours each day, exploring their vast play yard and engaging in play-based activities typically done inside a classroom. She also chronicles the…

Building physical models is a natural activity for children and provides a context for lessons on two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) shapes. However, children do not think of their models as prisms, cylinders, and pyramids. Their creations are spaceships, tunnels, castles, and nets on the floor. Creating these types of shapes with…

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…

This article details how certain mathematical "discoveries" that Cavazos' fourth graders made were recorded throughout the year. Cavazos invited a math professor, a biologist, a literacy professor, a chemist, a statistician, and an engineering student, as well as their school principal and computer lab technician, both of whom are…

This article showcases the benefits of the alliance the authors have established during the past two years with the Barnes Foundation to add more mathematics activities to their repertoire and to integrate more art into their mathematics lessons. Recently, they decided to focus on activities at the K-grade 2 level that could be used as an on-site…

Parents can positively impact children's learning of mathematics. To productively engage families in the learning process, teachers must support such interpersonal relationships. The author describes the investigative work of a group of teacher candidates as they sought to attain such understanding. Eighteen preservice teachers, who were…

Both writing and math require purposeful teaching. This article describes how one teacher discovered that she could teach math in a way that paralleled how she taught writing by researching what students know and then nudging them ahead to the next level of understanding. Just as effective writers employ creativity, perseverance, and revising,…

Children begin to develop mathematical thinking before they enter school. Art, baking, playing with blocks, counting numbers, games, puzzles, singing, playing with pretend money, water play all these early mathematical experiences help the children to learn in the elementary school years.

Outlines a take-home assignment in which prospective teachers document solutions to a mathematics "story problem." (Author/NB)

Delineates the possible roles of parents in school mathematics. Examines the rationale that underlies efforts to involve parents in the general process of education and different types of parental involvement in mathematics education. Concludes that it is essential for parents and community members to be involved in mathematics education. Contains…

Presents a poem written to reassure parents that they make an impact on their children's mathematical awareness through everyday activities. (Author)

A mathematics activity is presented which is a lesson frequently taught to upper elementary school students. It helps the students to see the connection of mathematics with a real-world activity, appreciate the mathematical knowledge required of quilt makers, reinforce their knowledge of the geometrical properties of different shapes and bring…