Characteristics of good problems for primary school children are described and illustrated in discussions of sample problems. A collection of problems meeting these criteria is presented and annotated, and the organization of the classroom for problem-solving activities is discussed. (SD)

An overview of a variety of interesting teaching techniques is given to assist school personnel in strengthening their overall mathematics programs in the first eight grades. The problem-solving approaches recommended are so designed that they should be useful in every subject. The materials could also be used as a basis for teacher in-service…

Many problems and activities which can be worked with a calculator are contained in this booklet. The problems include: pattern recognition, combinations of operations, estimation, squares and square roots, rate problems, area, and volume. Chapter topics include: getting to know the calculator, single-step problems, using formulas, and…

A variety of calculator activities is described for developing problem solving skills without getting involved in tedious computations. (JT)

Presents an extension of the hog game that satisfies the mathematical process activities of observing patterns; forming, testing and proving hypotheses; and applying and extending proved results. Discusses use of technology in the investigation of problems and in the process of devising and validating general rules. (ASK)

Track cards are manipulative materials used to promote verbalization, spatial perception, eye-hand coordination, simple problem solving, and fun in doing mathematics. (JT)

A computer program is presented for the billiard ball problem. It can be integrated into a lesson on inductive reasoning and suggests several ways to do so. (MNS)

Patterns resulting from polygonal numbers are explored, with examples of triangular, square, pentagonal, rectangular, and other numbers. Tables and formulas to be developed are included. (MNS)

Properties of the harmonic number triangle are listed, and ways of generating the elements of harmonic triangles are described. (MNS)

Presents a methodology designed to strengthen the cognitive effects of using graphing calculators to solve polynomial equations using pattern matching, searching, and heuristics. Discusses pattern matching as a problem-solving strategy useful in the physical, social, political, and economic worlds of today's students. (DDR)

The differences between learning disabled (LD) and non-LD children's problem-solving protocols were analyzed during a picture arrangement task. Although the groups of 29 LD and 27 non-LD children were comparable in global mental processing and task performance, LD children had difficulty with representing problems and deleting irrelevant…

Presents three investigations related to the game Bulgarian Solitaire. Investigations ask students to find and represent optimal solutions to the problem, to identify cyclical solution patterns for different numbers, and to respond to questions involving the number and nature of the cyclical solutions. An appendix provides answers to questions.…

Described are some ways in which individual states code driver's license numbers. The encoding of month, date of birth, year of birth, sex, and others involving elementary mathematics and the use of an elaborate system of hashing functions in describing the first, middle, and last names are discussed. (KR)

Presents a problem that requires solving a card problem by exploring patterns that will lead to a logical solution. Involves students in developing and analyzing their own algorithms as well as discussing their reasoning with peers. (ASK)

This study compared the conceptual rule learning performance of normal and learning disabled children. Subjects for the study were 18 normal and 18 learning disabled children with mean ages of 9.4 and 9.3 years and mean IQ scores of 103.1 and 101.6 respectively. The children were matched for age, IQ, sex and race. Four types of rules (affirmation,…