Discusses various research findings aimed at helping teachers provide a classroom climate which leads students to develop better number sense. Focuses on number and symbol meaning, including number size, place value, and fractions, as well as computation and computational estimation. (MKR)

Examined the effects of intervention in the instruction of 12 male seventh-grade students for the purpose of developing number sense. Results indicate that after instruction students were more likely to use strategies to solve number magnitude, mental computation, and computational estimation problems that reflected number sense. (Contains 50…

Describes a qualitative research study that analyzed the impact and effectiveness of a kindergarten through grade-three mathematics distance education course on Spanish- and English-speaking children, parents, and teachers. Implications for curriculum, implementation of innovation, costs, media, and school effectiveness are discussed. (LRW)

Proposes the home-school connection as a key solution to boost science, mathematics, and technology programs in schools. Suggests that professionals in education must find ways to make connections between school learning and children's learning outside school. Proposes appropriate strategies such as science and mathematics backpacks, minimuseums,…

Many teachers use cooperative learning methods during instruction but face the problem of aligning evaluation techniques with that instruction. Described are methods to include cooperative problem solving in evaluation, including strategies to identify possible grading schemes, to make appropriate problem choices, and to evaluate individual versus…

Suggests instructional modifications that utilize liberal arts students interests and strengths to stimulate their interest in mathematics. Suggestions recommend that teachers (1) relate mathematics to current critical issues; (2) make use of projects and open-ended problems; (3) utilize collaborative learning; and (4) provide opportunities for…

A study of beginning elementary teachers' mathematics instruction practices sought to identify the main factors influencing those practices. For all seven teachers studied, the perceived needs and expectations of students affected planning, interactive thinking, and lesson evaluation. (GLR)

Presents 13 examples in which the intuitive approach to solve the problem is often misleading. Presents analysis of these problems for five different sources of misleading intuitive generators: lack of analysis, unbalanced perception, improper analogy, improper generalization, and misuse of symmetry. (MDH)

Reports an example of one lesson from a sequence of lessons on fractions from a sixth grade class in which the teacher revises her plans after observing students' small-group work and interactions. The lesson illustrated the teacher's knowledge of mathematics, how students think, and how to observe that thinking. (MDH)

Describes the computer project for American Indian middle school students, "Four Directions Indian Beadwork Design," that uses familiar American Indian beadwork designs to help learn geometric and LOGO concepts. Discusses the instructional techniques used to teach the planning and constructing of LOGO designs made up of two or more…

Describes seven problems designed to enhance the development of four types of student communication in mathematics: (1) describing observations; (2) justifying solutions and solution processes; (3) documenting thinking; and (4) completing or creating mathematical problems. (MDH)

In college courses in statistics and computer programing, learning can be enhanced when students are required to express formulas and notations in writing. This approach helps improve concept formation, comprehension, problem solving, and ability to draw conclusions and interpretations. Attention to syntax and form is important. (MSE)

Describes a program to improve problem-solving skills of children by incorporating parents as partners in cooperative learning experiences with the children. Research results indicate that students working with parental partners displayed higher problem-solving ability on posttests than those not working with partners. (MDH)

Describes Thinking Mathematics, a research-based approach to teaching mathematics. Value is placed on thinking and communicating mathematically and using what is known to find the unknown. The program requires teachers to rethink their beliefs and assumptions about teaching and learning mathematics. Examples of program implementation are given.…

The use of strategies is an important part of mathematical thinking. Presented are several games that help develop the reasoning strategies of hypothesis making and testing, proving and disproving, looking for patterns, and simplifying a difficult task. (MDH)