A shortage of certified and qualified science and mathematics teachers is one of the most visible and critical problems faced by our nation's schools. Because of the various approaches taken by different groups and agencies to solve the problem, the Improvement of Science and Mathematics Team (ISME) of the National Institute of Education (NIE) was…

This mathematics support guide is intended for use by vocational students and instructors as a review of essential mathematics concepts and for problem-solving exercises in the vocations. It is designed to accompany the "Mathematical Skills Inventory," which tests mathematics skills, attitudes, and background. A section entitled Arithmetic Skills…

This program is for students of grades 8 and 9 who may function a year or two behind their age peers in mathematics. It is designed to develop concepts, skills, and attitudes required for effective computation and problem solving at home, in the classroom, in the workplace, and in the community. Other goals are to develop a positive self concept,…

This brochure highlights key concepts of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) "Thinking Mathematics" courses. Citing adherence to No Child left Behind Act (NCLB) mandates, these courses are: (1) based on scientific research about how children learn mathematics; (2) designed to increase teacher mathematical knowledge; (3) provide a…

Two teaching ideas integrate mathematics and business. The first discusses consumer deception by such ploys as false bottoms on containers and simple rather than compound interest on investments. The second describes a business mathematics course in which students are motivated by contracting for certain jobs and potential bonuses. (MDH)

This report describes a program for improving higher-order thinking skills in mathematics of (n=17) third-, (n=27) fifth-, and (n=27) sixth-grade students in a middle class community. Three interventions were chosen: (1) cooperative learning to develop student self-confidence and to improve student achievement, (2) the instruction of students in…

This report identifies 13 instructional strategies for teaching adult numeracy skills that address issues of assessment, development of mathematical skills, and development of problem-solving skills. The rationale and suggestions regarding the following 13 instructional principles are described: address and evaluate attitudes and beliefs about…

This kit contains observation matrices for on-going assessment and end of the year evaluation for grades 1 through 8. Each matrix is divided into the areas of numeration, geometry, patterns, measurement, problem solving, data, and computation. Performance indicators indicate four levels of proficiency where Level I indicates minimal performance…

This resource book for algebra contains games, tricks, and quick activities for the classroom. Categories of activities include puzzlers, patterns, manipulatives, measurement, graphing, and a section that contains reproducible statement and value cards. Twenty one puzzle problems, four pattern activities, and 11 quick activities that engage…

This paper reviews literature documenting gender differences in beliefs related to mathematics achievement. The areas included in the discussion are: (1) gender differences in mathematics achievement and self-referenced cognitions, (2) the effect of confidence and anxiety on mathematics performance and expenditure of effort, and (3) confidence and…

This book contains a classroom-tested approach to the teaching of problem solving to all students in Grades 6-8, regardless of ability. Information on problem solving in general is provided, then mathematical problems on logic, exponents, fractions, pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, number theory, set theory, ratio, proportion, percent, probability,…

This volume contains some examples of mathematical applications in sports. Sports discussed include tennis, figure skating, gymnastics, track and field, soccer, skiing, hockey, and swimming. Problems and situations are posed and answers with thorough explanations are provided. Chapters include: (1) Mathematics and Sports; (2) What Is Applied…

This revised version of "Mathematics for Horticulture" was developed to meet the needs of educators faced with teaching a mathematics curriculum based on real-life applications. The manual includes a wide range of topics, some remedial in nature, but all very basic to success in the industry. The manual contains seven chapters that cover the…

An interview protocol was devised to determine whether demands on working memory are reduced by the use of drawn or telegraphic formats. Students were chosen because some aspect of their group testing on presentation formats was provocative (e.g. high spatial score, but low reading comprehension score; high drawn score and low verbal score, etc.).…

Findings from five related studies carried out in Tasmania, Australia in 1979-80 are summarized. The first study attempted to determine the memory capacity of a cross-sectional population of children aged 4-7, while the second study was designed to portray differences on a variety of mathematically related developmental tasks for the same…