The standby wooden blocks that are prevalent in most high-quality early childhood classrooms are missing from most primary and elementary grades. The goal for block play in early childhood is to support learning in mathematics, science, art, literacy and language arts, physical development, social studies, and social and emotional growth. This…

Spatial reasoning--the ability to visualise and play with shapes in one's mind--is essential in many fields, and crucial in any Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics [STEM] discipline. It is, for example, the ability that the engineer needs to build bridges; the chemist to see the three-dimensional structure of a molecule; the architect to…

Recent studies have shown that strengths in spatial skills are a key to success in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers. However, these skills are undervalued in our educational system and thus seldom incorporated in classroom teaching. As a first step towards changing the current practices, we worked with a group of…

Features responses to a problem that appeared in the January, 2001 issue of this journal. The problem concerned finding all of the shape combinations of two colors of blocks in four-block combinations. (KHR)

Presents a problem of tetras made with four cubes, mathematical ideas involved in this problem, and guiding questions for teachers. (KHR)

Reports on a study in which three 3rd grade students were presented with the volume of cuboids. Examines the problem solving actions students demonstrate and analyzes students' strategies and solutions. Explores the connection between spatial structuring and the use of numerical operation. Considers perseverance and control emerging when solving…

Presents the Picasso Masterpiece problem to develop spatial reasoning in students. Addresses the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Geometry Content Standards. (Author/NB)

A study involving 174 fifth- and sixth-grade students from two public elementary schools was conducted to determine the effects of Logo programing experience on students' problem solving and spatial relations abilities. Results indicate that LOGO programing contributes to student abilities in the two areas under observation. (TJH)

Investigated the effect of computer programs that require the use of spatial skills on third and fourth graders' spatial ability. Students who used a software program that required rotation of objects scored better than other students on a measure of figural classification, but not on a measure of object rotation. (BC)

Students are asked to find different tiles that could be manufactured and show how a particular tile can be used to cover a floor. Thus, tessellations are explored. (MNS)

Investigated was how girls and boys who were discrepant in their spatial and verbal performance used spatial visualization skills in solving word problems and fraction problems. It was concluded that low spatial visualization skill may be more debilitating to girls' mathematical problem solving than to boys'. (MNS)

This study reports on cultural and gender differences in the spatial abilities of children based on the Water Level Task. The Piagetian theory of age-related developmental differences in performance on the Water Level Task was explored with Chinese and Malay children living in Singapore. Results indicate that children in this study did not perform…

Spatial concepts are important to the development of many skills, including reasoning and problem solving. Here are guidelines for making geometry learning more effective for elementary-grade students. (Editor)

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships of certain cognitive variables to problem-solving performance. Cognitive restructuring, spatial ability, reading comprehension, and mathmatical story problems tests presented in a regular verbiage, low verbiage, and drawn formats were given to students in grades three through seven.…

Seventy fifth-grade students in Australia were observed as each solved a jigsaw puzzle. Boys obtained higher scores on a measure of cognitive style and took less time to complete the jigsaw task; the two measures were significantly correlated. Uses of tangrams are also discussed. (MNS)