Presented is an interview concerning development and implementation of the Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) project, which has developed an interdisciplinary problem-solving curriculum for elementary students. (Author)

Reviews the nature and application of the skills of reading and writing as they pertain to the learning of mathematics. Argues that students must learn to read mathematically. Contains 22 references. (DDR)

A Maryland middle-school teacher can no longer imagine a math classroom without computers, word processing programs, graphing calculators, graphic design programs, and colored printers and monitors. Aided by these devices, her students made great leaps toward the 21st-century technology goals spelled out by the Department of Education in 1995.…

Details an investigation concerned with the composition of a grape to illustrate how food and nutrition topics can drive inquiry-oriented science learning. Students design experiments that surround the development of a fictitious new beverage. (DDR)

Describes a multicultural and multidisciplinary classroom activity involving the mathematics of flags. Activities are related to geometry and spatial sense, linear and area measurement, fractions, and basic arithmetic. Venn diagrams are introduced as a way to organize information to simplify understanding. This experience supports whole-language…

Describes the process of mathematical modeling, an extensive teacher's guide, and a student modeling activity to improve the efficiency of soft-drink packaging. (KHR)

Describes strategies for using literature to teach number sense and problem solving. Reports that the rich class discussions reflected some of the students' thinking, gave students opportunities to share their approaches and understandings, and gave the teacher additional insights into students' thinking. (JRH)

Describes how to use a well-known book, "Caps for Sale", with children as a springboard for mathematical problem solving. Presents patterning problems, problems created by the student, problems with a known total and unknown parts, and problems with known parts and an unknown total. (KHR)

Considers how computing and composition combine for a new form of interdisciplinary learning and intramural cooperation. Offers a description of the analogous processes of problem solving and programming in an introductory computer science course and the writing process typically used in introductory English composition courses. (Author/LRW)

Discusses an approach to learning that uses well-selected problems to capture student interest and challenge their intellect. Presents an example of the problem-centered approach and discusses ways in which it helps all students learn important mathematical concepts and skills. (KHR)

Introduces an activity, Equation Telephone, designed to improve students' ability to interpret written information and recognize equivalent forms of an equation. Discusses the activity in detail and presents examples of student responses. (KHR)

Introduces a lesson that can be used for teaching the scientific process with excitement and in a natural learning environment. Suggests activities for classifying, observing, measuring, inferring, collecting data, interpreting, discussing, concluding, and communicating. Supplies a list with pictures and descriptions of types of monuments. (RT)

The "Digging for Healthy Hearts" teaching technique uses an inquiry and problem-solving approach to educate high school and college students about risk factors and preventive health behaviors related to cardiovascular disease. (CB)

A group of outstanding science teachers agreed that student motivation and interest soar when real-life issues are used as themes for study. Illustrates how the interdisciplinary approach works with the issue of smoking. (MLF)

To increase students' problem-solving abilities, the New York State New Compact for Learning requires schools to do more interdisciplinary, community-based work. Fairport High School's venture exploring the European Union evolved from Connections, a school-within-a-school program serving highly able students. Cooperation among three departments…