Discusses the use of techniques from language experiences in assisting with the learning and assessment of mathematics. Provides a mathematics activity on fractions employing story writing activities. (ASK)

Takes a look at what creativity is and where it goes as people age. Describes six exercises the author has used to spark creativity in middle school and high school students, both in the classroom and on stage. (SR)

Introduces an activity in which students prove that milliliters and cubic centimeters are equal. Assigns students in groups for the activity and starts with a realistic story to increase student interest. (YDS)

Discusses the importance of writing in mathematics classrooms and offers an alternative to journal writing. Presents "Chris and Pat Writing Activities" designed to help students better understand concepts by making decisions about who has used correct skills to solve a mathematical problem. (ASK)

A learning activity designed for an Association of Experiential Educators workshop asked participants to lead their group through a maze symbolizing the obstacles and frustration encountered when implementing experiential education programs. Includes goals, set-up, sample presentation, and suggestions for debriefing participants. (LP)

Presents activities to supplement the usual diagnostic procedures that middle school math teachers employ at the beginning of the school year to ascertain the math skill levels of their new students. Includes activities related to problem solving, data analysis, estimation, and fractions. (ASK)

Encourages students to use reasoning and quantitative problem-solving skills to discover the solution to an important practical problem related to absolute-value function and statistical median. (ASK)

Considers the types of problems given to children in primary classrooms. Offers a tool for analyzing worksheets and problem solving tasks. (Author/CCM)

Describes a contest in which students attempt to build a device that produces a donut-shaped air pulse that will travel the greatest distance with the most accuracy. (WRM)

Describes an experiment undertaken to determine what relative electric charges would result if three or more pieces of transparent tape were placed on top of each other and then separated one at a time. Makes suggestions for using the project in high school and undergraduate classes. (WRM)

Introduces a lesson that incorporates numeric, graphic, and algebraic approaches as well as a strong verbal communication component into the maximizing problem. (ASK)

How students interpret problems influences how they solve them. Lists lessons learned at the end such as how fair assessment of mathematics set in contexts requires having students explain their reasoning or assumptions, and is done most effectively and accurately over time. (ASK)

Creating towers of balanced stones is a versatile outdoor learning activity that can be experienced in the classroom, school yard, forest, or parking lot. Students discover hidden talents, learn to work and communicate clearly with others, and reconnect with the natural world. Several variations on the exercise are given, along with principles of…

Presents an ancient method for solving quadratic equations from Jiuzhang Suanshu (Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art). Includes several examples and exercises. (MM)

Presents an activity that allows students to apply problem-solving skills and chemical principles to calculate the cost for converting a gasoline-powered vehicle to propane. (Author/ASK)