This report summarises a study examining preservice elementary teachers' geometry content knowledge with a focus on parallelogram. It was a descriptive study examining 45 preservice teachers' reasoning in the process of determining which quadrilateral can be classified as a parallelogram. Findings have revealed that these elementary teachers do…

In this paper, we analyze and compare two didactical designs for introducing primary school pupils to proportional reasoning in the context of plane polygons. One of them is well-documented in the literature; the other one is based on our own data and is accordingly presented and discussed in more detail in this paper. The two designs come from…

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study raised the concern that the United States (US) mathematics teachers place less emphasis on topics and teach a variety of content strands (Goldsmith, Mark & Kantrov, 2000; Kerachsky, 2008). The overall pattern in the US mathematics classrooms today is that primary and upper elementary…

Discusses assumptions implicit in any system of measurement. Describes a three-rectangle problem designed to help children explore additivity of areas and relationships between area and shape. Suggests ideas for action research. (FDR)

Analyzes the functions of semiotic mediation in a long-term teaching experiment, Mathematical Discussion, on the plane representations of three-dimensional space by means of perspective drawing in grade two to five classrooms. (Author/MKR)

Includes lesson plans and worksheets that deal with transformational geometry, specifically reflections. The lesson for grades three to four focuses on angles of incidence and reflection and that for grades five to six involves mirror images. (MKR)

A series of spatial tasks involving conceptualization and manipulation of unfamiliar plane shapes administered to (n=20) children aged 4 to 12 revealed that both initial perception of a shape and approach to task solution strongly influenced children's success at shape recognition. (20 references) (Author/MKR)

The inservice learning module described focuses on teaching mathematical concepts at the elementary grade level. Specifically covered in the module are discovery learning, drill activities, understanding number concepts, and introduction to geometry. Information is provided in this descriptive report on the scope and sequencing of topics and the…

Presents activities which use patterns on geoboards or dot paper to develop geometry and measurement concepts. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (MKR)

Describes attempts to instruct 12 children, aged between 10 and 11, during a 12-hour course in LOGO that proper attention should be paid to the external angles through which the turtle rotated. Results suggest that using LOGO to draw closed figures may lead to confusions about angle that are not amenable to conventional intervention techniques…

Suggests one possible way to combine the technological facility of the computer with students' natural abilities for concept formation. Describes the software the "Geometric preSupposer." (PK)

Geometry is a fundamental part of the mathematics foundation provided by elementary education. Children have an intuitive understanding of geometry that they draw on when dealing with geometric concepts in activities like drawing, playing hopscotch, defending their "half of the room," and playing sports. This book offers no instruction…

Written descriptions by students in grades 3-7 (n=274) of common 2-dimensional geometric shapes were examined to compare the level descriptors of the van Hiele Theory and the SOLO Taxonomy. Results indicate that descriptors associated with the SOLO Taxonomy more accurately describe the quality of student thinking. (MDH)

A method was developed using a deck of cards to teach Japanese fifth graders to calculate the area of a parallelogram. Investigations with 59 male and 45 female students demonstrate the superiority of the method to that previously used in terms of recall at one week. (SLD)

Presents practical, teacher-tested tools and techniques based on National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards for teaching mathematics. Covers Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) technique; story problems across the curriculum; advantages of using calculators in instruction; and manipulatives for plane geometry. Includes a chart…