This article compares the relative merits of using Cuisenaire rods (unsegmented, unnumbered, and representing continuous quantities) and number sticks (segmented, numbered, and representing discrete quantities) to introduce number and arithmetic concepts to beginning students or students with learning difficulties or mental disabilities. (DB)

We present a card trick that can be used to review or teach a variety of topics in discrete mathematics. We address many subjects, including permutations, combinations, functions, graphs, depth first search, the pigeonhole principle, greedy algorithms, and concepts from number theory. Moreover, the trick motivates the use of computers in…

"The Simpsons" is an ideal source of fun ways to introduce important mathematical concepts, motivate students, and reduce math anxiety. We discuss examples from "The Simpsons" related to calculus, geometry, and number theory that we have incorporated into the classroom. We explore student reactions and educational benefits and difficulties…

Math is about the relationship between numbers. Right answers are not the only thing to look for when examining students' work in mathematics. Looking at how children solve computation problems can give teachers insight into their thinking and help determine what math skills they already know and what they still need to learn. The author contends…

This paper summarizes our analysis of the complexity of ratio problems at Grades 6 and 7, and reports a two-year experiment related to the teaching and learning of rational numbers and proportionality in these grades. Two classes were followed and observed. Part of the teaching material was common to both classes, mainly the objectives and the…

This study addressed the problem of promoting generalization of knowledge in people with mental handicaps, by presenting an approach based on the idea that certain cognitive representations of strategies and related concepts are common to solving a wide variety of problems. The surface context of these problems may vary considerably, but all will…

Implications for teaching the metric system to educable retarded students are discussed. (CL)

The author describes a method of teaching number conservation, focusing on its successful use a 16- year- old severely educationally subnormal boy. (LS)

Described are instructional techniques and inexpensive manipulative materials that can be used to teach basic multiplication to blind and partially sighted children. (LH)

The author describes a Piaget based curriculum involving three main themes (classification, number measurement/space, and seriation) for young mentally retarded children. Students solve problems by doing something physically and mentally to the data, shuffling the facts about in their minds, so that they will come to a logical solution. Language…

Thirteen research reports related to mathematics education are abstracted and critiqued in this publication. The topics of the research include counting, addition, subtraction, ratio, proportion, geometry, problem solving, and teaching strategies. Also included is an editorial comment by T. Kieren on mathematics education research. Research…

The teacher of mathematics or science must be aware of the concepts, facts, and generalizations of his field, of psychological principles of learning, and of teaching methods. Methods appropriate to the teaching of concepts differ from methods for teaching generalizations. (SD)

The author presents a manual notation system for addition and subtraction which promotes achievement and conceptual skills with the primary educable mentally retarded. (Author)

Ways to use a calculator as an integral part of mathematics instruction in existing curricula are provided. Activities are proposed that will help children think about mathematics rather than merely push buttons. (MN)

Teaching basic number concepts by developing slides which picture the students themselves is described. (JT)