In this article, the author states that there are selected issues in mathematics instruction that educators should be well aware of when planning lessons and units of study. These issues provide a basis for thought and discussion when assisting pupils to attain more optimally. Purposeful studying of issues guides mathematics teachers in…

The best teaching possible needs to accrue in the mathematics curriculum. Pupils also need to become proficient in using mathematics in every day situations in life. Individuals buy goods and services. They pay for these in different ways, including cash. Here, persons need to be able to compute the total cost of items purchased and then pay for…

The debate has gone on for some time in terms of which is more salient for the teacher to be well versed in, mathematical content versus methods and approaches in teaching. Both are salient. They cannot be separated from each other. The mathematics teacher must indeed have broad, in-depth knowledge of subject matter as well as in teaching and…

There was much enthusiasm when the phrase "Modern School Mathematics" was coined shortly after the 1958 National Defense Education Act was passed. Many federally funded study groups came into being. Presently, criticisms in secondary teaching are just as great as it was in 1958. The innovations recommended by federally funded study groups has had…

Mathematics teachers need to study diverse psychologies of learning so that individual learners may be guided to attain as optimally as possible. This paper discusses meaning theory in mathematics teaching and describes a variety of learning theories such as behaviorism, developmental psychology, and problem solving. (ASK)

A good mathematics instructor is a proficient organizer of pupils for instruction in mathematics. There are many specifics involved in organizing for instruction. This paper discusses organizational structures in mathematics instruction such as learning stations. "A Geometry Center" is provided as an example of a learning station. The organization…

There are selected philosophies in the teaching of mathematics that can provide guidance to the teacher in developing the curriculum. This paper discusses four philosophies of teaching mathematics. (1) Idealism stresses that the pupil lives in an idea-centered mathematical world, but not an objective real world. Abstract content is prized more…

There are numerous teaching suggestions to offer for guiding pupils to achieve more optimally in mathematics. There is, however, a problem involved in writing about the implementation of selected teaching suggestions: there needs to be a readiness of learning prior to implementing any teaching suggestion. If pupils cannot benefit from the teaching…

The mathematics teacher has a major responsibility in assisting pupils to learn in ongoing lessons and units of study. This paper discusses ways of motivating students in the mathematics classroom from the perspectives of different learning theories such as behaviorism, humanism, cognitive psychology, and constructivism. Guidelines for teaching…

Mathematics as a curriculum area might be taught from the point of view of several philosophies of education. This paper discusses philosophical considerations in teaching mathematics such as the philosophy of experimentalism, philosophy of decision making, and measurement driven philosophy. It is concluded that the philosophy or philosophies…

This paper discusses reading achievement in mathematics. Suggestions for improving the reading level of students in mathematics, as well as for reading abstract symbols, are given, including: assisting students in developing a mathematics glossary, having students write their own problems, diagnosing reading and writing, having students keep…

This paper shares ideas for creating learning opportunities in mathematics classrooms. Ideas include using single or multiple series of textbooks, markers, teacher-made materials, transparencies and the overhead projector, filmstrips, graphs, songs, money, Geoboards, drill and practice, videotapes, and technology. Mathematics learning activities…

Scope and sequence in the mathematics curriculum need to be assessed regularly. Scope indicates what should be taught and becomes crucial in making curricular decisions. The first part of this paper answers how broad the scope should be in teaching mathematics. The standards to take into consideration when broadening the scope of the mathematics…

The creative mathematics teacher who has love and enthusiasm for mathematics as a curriculum area should be in great demand in all schools. This paper discusses the characteristics of creative mathematics teachers, including those who guide students to engage in divergent thinking; have learners do much creative writing; and integrate creative…

The mathematics teacher has the major responsibility of assisting pupils to learn in ongoing lessons and units of study. Motivating pupils to achieve optimally is a concern of conscientious teachers. This paper discusses the major educational theories emphasizing motivation and presents guidelines for teaching mathematics. (ASK)