The purpose of this study is to investigate pre-service elementary teachers' realistic considerations and difficulties in solving "division with remainder" type of problems which focus on the measurement meaning of division operation. The qualitative research method of case study design was used for the study. The purposive sampling…

The purpose of this study was to analyze the problem-solving techniques that students in a fifth-grade classroom applied while solving mathematical word problems. Fifth-grade students in a private school with Ministry of Education curricula in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, were given a set of 15-word problems to solve with detailed justifications. The…

We report a novel survey that narrows the gap between information about teachers' knowledge of fraction arithmetic provided, on the one hand, by measures practical to administer at scale and, on the other, by close analysis of moment-to-moment cognition. In particular, the survey measured components that would support reasoning directly with…

In the present research, we provide empirical evidence for the process of symbolic integration of number associations, focusing on the development of simple addition (e.g., 5 + 3 = 8), subtraction (e.g., 5 - 3 = 2), and multiplication (e.g., 5 × 3 = 15). Canadian children were assessed twice, in Grade 2 and Grade 3 (N = 244; 55% girls). All…

In this study it is investigated to what extent contextualized and non-contextualized mathematics test items have a differential impact on examinee effort. Mixture item response theory (IRT) models are applied to two subsets of items from a national assessment on mathematics in the second grade of the pre-vocational track in secondary education in…

When students begin work with fraction division in fifth grade or sixth grade, they bring with them experiences from whole-number division. Many students think that a division problem should lead to a quotient that is smaller than the dividend. It is also common for students to believe that the dividend should be larger than the divisor. Many, if…

The present study describes the usage of strategies of symbolic representation during teaching introduction of decimal system in primary school in Mexico. Our research is based on Activity Theory conception of teaching-learning process and of gradual introduction of scientific concepts in school age. The method includes symbolic external…

Taiwanese students consistently rank near the top on international exams on mathematics and science. In 2007, Taiwan recorded the highest TIMSS math score for eighth grade. The central education agency in Taiwan publishes detailed mathematics curriculum guidelines, which textbooks and national exams follow closely. In May each year, all ninth…

"Focus in Grade 1: Teaching with Curriculum Focal Points" describes and illustrates learning paths for the mathematical concepts and skills of each grade 1 Focal Point as presented in Curriculum Focal Points for Prekindergarten through Grade 8 Mathematics. It includes representational supports for teaching and learning that can facilitate…

Every student should understand and use all concepts and skills from the previous grade levels. The standard is designed so that new learning builds on preceding skills. Communications, Problem-solving, Reasoning & Proof, Connections, and Representation are the process standards that are embedded throughout the teaching and learning of all…

Every student should understand and use all concepts and skills from the previous grade levels. The standard is designed so that new learning builds on preceding skills. Communications, Problem-solving, Reasoning & Proof, Connections, and Representation are the process standards that are embedded throughout the teaching and learning of all…

Presents a problem involving fractions for discussing and sharing of student responses to the problem at a later date. (KHR)

The relations between a cultural fund of general knowledge and knowledge-in-use were investigated by observing the arithmetical practices of ten women enrolled in the Weight Watchers program. Apparently, the precision of dieters' measurements is dependent on situation and everyday context. Often, subjects' knowledge-in-use exceeded the general…

A list of the basic competencies in mathematics set by the Vermont Board of Education is given and discussed. The basic competencies are grouped as follows: numeration, measurement, money, arithmetic, and reasoning. (MP)

The theme of the sixth annual meeting of the North American Chapter of Psychology of Mathematics Education was "The Importance of Psychological Models for Research in Mathematics Learning." The conference proceedings contain papers organized around five major topics. In the first section, eight papers on the learning of arithmetic are…