Argues that Turtle Geometry has a great deal to offer mathematics teaching and learning. Suggests that it helps develop general problem-solving strategies and encourages new approaches to teaching and learning. (PK)

Describes how students can construct kaleidoscopes to learn basic principles of reflection. Instructions are included for simple experiments using mirrors. Outlines more complicated constructions of kaleidoscopes with recommendations for variations of the experiments. (TW)

Describes similarities and differences in teaching of elementary mathematics in 135 elementary schools in districts of varying size in Washington state. Finds more similarities than differences and that differences relate to selection of student learning objectives and instructional materials, measurement of student progress, student achievement,…

It is suggested that elementary school students find rational numbers troublesome because some teachers have an inadequate understanding of rational number concepts and poor facility with rational numbers skills. How to help them overcome difficulties, develop concepts, and know what topics to emphasize are discussed. (MNS)

Using national and state standards to guide a math program is just a start. It still must be decided how to apply the standards in the curriculum, determine when students should learn different content, and decide which programs and textbooks will help make math come alive in the classroom. That's where this new ASCD resource comes in. This book…

The current mathematics education reform requires substantial changes toward student-centered instruction. In contrast to the widespread awareness of the reform agenda, there is a concern that many teachers do not quite grasp the vision of the reform. This study explored the breakdown that may occur between teachers' adoption of reform objectives…

In recent years metacognition has been receiving increased attention in mathematics education. Special attention has been focused on metacognition and its essential role in achievement settings. The basic difficulty of the study on the field of metacognition is to develop and use valid tasks in order to measure metacognitive ability especially for…

This book addresses teaching mathematics to students with learning disabilities, including characteristics and assessment of mathematics learning disabilities, mathematics programming and interventions, and teacher preparation. Chapters include: (1) "Mathematics Education and Students with Learning Disabilities: Instruction" (Diane Pedrotty…

This study used a sociolinguistic and micro-ethnographic approach to examine whether the setting of a mathematics task had an impact on the type and quality of classroom discourse, and it described the teacher's conflicts and resolutions in facilitating student discourse in a sixth-grade mathematics classroom. Data collection occurred from January…

By evaluating her use and delivery of praise, an elementary teacher discovered that its quality, not quantity, had the most impact on students. Teachers can increase the positive effects of praise by praising sparingly but carefully, directing it to students who respond well to it, and ensuring contingency, specificity, and credibility. (Author/SM)

Examines some innovative change strategies developed at Missouri Western State College to blend content and pedagogy in teacher education programs. Focuses on two independent measures used to evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum changes: National Teachers Exam scores and scores given to first-year teachers on principal evaluations. Both…

K-12 students and teachers can use the Internet for planning science fair activities--for project ideas, resources, and interactive Web sites. Lists 26 science Web sites specializing in question answering, activities, experiments, optics, math, dissection, inventions, physics, space, genetics, cockroaches and worms, and Twinkies (sponge cakes).…

Discussed are the issues of inconsistencies and compartmentalization and the use of inconsistencies in the classroom. Included are discussions on paradoxes, the naive student, logical reasoning ability, and the development of the students' cognitive structures. (KR)

Discusses a system of classification for students' inconsistent ideas in mathematics, the sources of students' mathematical inconsistency, and instructional strategies for helping students to resolve apparent learning inconsistencies. Language, curriculum, and instruction are included in the discussion. (KR)

Describes a 3-year study to examine whether teachers pay more attention to boys than girls in grades 3, 6, 7, and 10. Reports the difference of teacher's attention and discusses the further research ideas. (YP)