In recognition of the fact that young children develop informal number concepts and strategies for solving several basic types of verbal addition and subtraction problems before entering school, but lose this ability after a few years of schooling, the study created and tested an intervention designed to build on the children's early insights. A…

Examined were the ways peer models affect children's self-efficacy in a cognitive learning context and whether the effects of models vary depending on the sex of the subjects. Subjects were 72 fourth and fifth grade students low in subtraction skills. During pretests subjects indicated the extent to which they thought ability, effort, task…

Thinking Approach to Problem Solving (TAPS) is a decision-making model that will assist students, kindergarten through grade eight, to decide on the choice of operation in routine mathematical word problems. The TAPS algorithm, or plan, suggests that students read a word problem, determine the question to be answered in the problem, use concrete…

This material is designed to examine the research on how children acquire basic addition and subtraction concepts and skills. Two major lines of theories of the development of basic number concepts, called logical concept and quantification skill approaches, are identified. Major recurring issues in the development of early number concepts are…

This study examined various misconceptions committed by junior high school students in fraction addition and subtraction problems. Almost 600 subjects were administered two tests, addition and subtraction, and their performances were analyzed by several computer programs, including two programs (FBUG and SPBUG) which are so flexible to any items…

This report illustrates a network of procedures which can be used to solve problems involving the addition and subtraction of fractions. This network, which is based on a skills hierarchy, is used to classify seven levels of student competency. The determination of student competency depends upon the careful construction of error-diagnostic tests.…

Provided is an examination of the methodology used to study the problems of learning addition and subtraction skills used by developmental researchers. The report has sections on categories of theory and their methodologies, which review: (1) Behaviorist, Neo-Behaviorist and Piagetian Theories; (2) the Behaviorist and Piagetian Paradigms; (3)…

Design and results of an investigation attempting to analyze and improve children's solution processes in elementary addition and subtraction problems are described. As background for the study, a conceptual model was developed based on previous research. One dimension of the model relates to the characteristics of the tasks (numerical versus word…

This is one of a series of student booklets designed for use in a bilingual mathematics program in grades 6-8. The general format is to present each page in both Spanish and English. The mathematical topics in this booklet include subtraction of fractions and mixed numbers. (MK)

The Minnesota School Mathematics and Science Teaching (MINNEMAST) Project is characterized by its emphasis on the coordination of mathematics and science in the elementary school curriculum. Units are planned to provide children with activities in which they learn various concepts from both subject areas. Each subject is used to support and…

The author suggests that the efficient use of mathematics in everyday life means translating situations into mathematical contexts, using a calculator and mental methods of calculation. Suggestions for teaching these concepts are included. (PK)

Three studies on the development of number concepts (counting, addition, subtraction, and place value) in seven- to nine-year-olds considered low attainers in mathematics were conducted. The search for a descriptive framework, the development of a diagnostic assessment instrument, and a longitudinal study are reported. (MNS)

Worksheets are included that use triangular shapes designed to provide practice for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of rational numbers. (MP)

Presented are suggestions for increasing the efficient use of the transition board while reducing its overall size. Discussed are the construction and preparation of the boards. Teaching addition and subtraction using these materials is described. (CW)

Prior studies indicate that, given time to develop their own algorithms, primary students will process multidigit addition or subtraction problems from left to right. Gives evidence to support that idea, describes methods of getting students to invent their own algorithms, and discusses advantages of child-invented procedures. (21 references) (MDH)