Fifty-two second-grade students were taught a generalizable problem-solving strategy for mathematics word problems. Results were mixed but were generally supportive of the notion that classwide student tutoring teams and direct instruction are useful adjuncts to teacher-led instruction in word problem solving in mathematics. (JDD)

A Reuleaux triangle is constructed by drawing an arc connecting each pair of vertices of an equilateral triangle with radius equal to the side of the triangle. Investigates the application of drilling a square hole using a drill bit in the shape of a Reuleaux triangle. (MDH)

Freudenthal was the founder of realistic mathematics education, in which reality serves as a source of applications and learning. Takes a newspaper article about reproducing a Van Gogh painting using plants in a field to exemplify a rich context problem containing elements of all areas of elementary school mathematics. (MDH)

Develops properties of tasks that are pedagogically efficient and allow students to discover mathematical concepts for themselves. Illustrates the structure and philosophy of powerful tasks for the concept of angle. Presents seven examples of powerful tasks, including two involving two-dimensional graphic systems. (Contains 39 references.)…

This article describes and offers examples of acronym mnemonics in mathematics and gives suggestions for their use with students who have learning disabilities. The approach addresses learning the basic facts and solving word problems. Instructional procedures for teaching mnemonics are noted. (DB)

Presents educational games to promote mathematical reasoning and problem solving in the primary grades. Children take charge of their learning and create exciting challenges for one another. (ASK)

Explores possible reasons for the gender differences in mathematics problem-solving strategies found in primary-grade students in the study by E. Fennema and others and considers implications of the findings for mathematics instruction. (SLD)

Presents a game in which if player is playing a match of this game with an opponent, at each step in the game he has to decide whether to continue or to stop. Helps students to develop a strategy for making such a decision based on the expected gain and related probabilities. (Author/ASK)

Presents ideas for an assessment that reflects the curriculum standards set forth by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Discusses how assessment tasks are created to support instruction that values a mastery of the basics, mental mathematics, mathematical vocabulary, problem solving and writing in mathematics, calculator…

Presents a problem for grades 3-6 on number concepts and computation. Also provides guidelines for teachers to improve problem-solving practices in their classrooms. (ASK)

Three third graders with a history of low achievement in math were first given verbal (abstract) instruction in solving word problems. Students were then introduced to manipulatives instruction using Cuisenaire rods to set up word problems. Students exhibited immediate and sustained improvement on subsequent probes administered without…

Discusses the role of writing about problem solving in the development of mathematics and science skills. Provides examples of student writing in math and science to show students' enhanced engagement and cognitive awareness. (JPB)

Reports on the design and study of a new computerized environment enabling a variety of metacognitive supports in different phases of the problem-solving process and designed to influence students' metacognition during word problem-solving. Results indicate that learning environments that provide metacognitive support during the solution process…

Presents graphic means of representing deductive proofs in a sentential system of symbolic logic. Provides students with performance data following a description of the rule set and the working backwards method. Shows that one interface design is superior to others in respect to working backwards. Draws some general conclusions concerning the…

Studied relations among children's short-term memory, working memory, inhibitory control, and arithmetic word-problem solving. Found that poor problem solvers had lower scores and made more intrusion errors in working memory tasks requiring inhibition of irrelevant information than good problem solvers. Findings indicated that performance relates…