One of the most fundamental strategies in mathematics instruction is practice problems because teachers know that practicing a skill improves performance. At the same time, teachers also know that just because students can correctly answer practice problems does not mean they fully understand the concept or how to apply a formula--especially not…

Aim/Purpose: This research aimed to measure the effectiveness of using thinking maps through the Edmodo network to develop achievement and mathematical connections skills among middle school students. Background: One of the most important and major problems in education is reduced levels of academic achievement among students generally and in…

A historical review of mathematics textbooks suggests a canonical method to solving equations that teachers often see as "the" way to solve equations. In this paper, we examine data from a nationally-distributed sample of 524 secondary mathematics teachers who responded to scenario-based survey items that represent the instructional…

This article explores a conceptual relationship between learner choice and mathematical sense-making. It argues that when learners can exercise choice in their mathematical activities, mathematical sense-making can be enhanced. The literature around mathematical modelling suggests a link between sense-making and learner choice. A three-tiered…

This article describes two heuristic strategies for problem solving: the "use of false assumption" strategy and the "use of double false assumption" strategy. Both of these strategies have their roots deep in history. In this article, we define these two strategies and illustrate their use in a problem developed by Frances…

Classroom instructional quality is seen as crucial to student learning. Of particular interest is the interpretation and enactment of the intended mathematics curriculum in Singapore schools by experienced mathematics teachers towards quality learning outcomes. This paper discusses the findings from the study which investigate the instructional…

Prior to leaving middle school, students are expected to be able to solve linear equations with one unknown using multiple modes of representation, including pictorial models. Although solving these linear equations is important, many students do not have the conceptual understanding to solve these types of linear equations successfully. In this…

The purpose of this research was to describe the positions and causes of students' errors in algebraic thinking based on the cognitive style. This study was qualitative research with subject consisting of twelve students. The results showed that (1) students with Field Independent type tended to make errors at the stage of comprehension,…

Schools in Florida used the multitiered system of support response to intervention framework to help students achieve the state and national standards but, in the national report card, 61% of the fourth-graders assessed in mathematics failed to achieve proficiency. Research indicated that the students lacked mathematical word problem-solving…

Whole Number Arithmetic (WNA) appears as the very first topic in school mathematics and establishes the foundation for later mathematical content. Without solid mastery of WNA, students may experience difficulties in learning fractions, ratio and proportion, and algebra. The challenge of students' learning and mastery of fractions, decimals, ratio…

In this brief article, the author illustrates the flaws of FOIL (multiply the First, Outer, Inner, and Last terms of two binomials) and introduces the box method. Much like FOIL, the box method can become easy to use. Unlike FOIL, however, the box method is a more direct and visible link to using the distributive property to determine area, a…

This paper describes a task that was used, in a broader study on mathematical giftedness and mindsets, as part of a process to identify mathematical giftedness in primary school students (see Parish, 2019). A discussion of the task, together with an analysis of student responses, offers insights that could be used by classroom teachers for both…

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to determine how teachers use questioning techniques in their mathematics classrooms and if teacher questioning techniques correlate with student achievement in mathematics. As pacing and rigor increase and students learning styles vary, schools are challenged with finding new ways to make connections…

This study aimed to analyze views of mathematics student-teachers on teaching practice in classroom contexts by subsuming following the new didactic triangle, which was used as a conceptual framework: (1) Teaching Process, (2) Learning Process, and (3) Thinking Process. A participative research design was employed for the research methodology. The…

Nowadays, digital technologies are crucial in supporting students in geometry in secondary mathematics classrooms. However, in some cases, the role of visual function in technology was only utilized for seeing and conjecturing, not for experimenting, while to develop a relational understanding of geometry concepts, students should actively…