Preschoolers 4 and 5 years of age were found to use four strategies differing in temporal characteristics as they solved simple addition problems with sums of 10 or less. Three strategies had visible and/or audible aspects, and one was covert, involving retrieval from memory. The harder the problem, the more often the children used an overt…

Use of low-stress algorithms to reduce the cognitive load on students is advocated. The low-stress algorithm for addition developed by Hutchings is detailed first. Then a variation on the usual algorithm is proposed: adding from left to right, writing the partial sum for each stage. Next, a "quick addition" method for adding fractions proposed by…

The purpose of the study was to survey self-regulation while responding to the addition facts. First graders' performance on microcomputer practice exercises was observed and recorded. Subjects could choose an analytic mode of operation using a symbolic or a finger strategy; or, they could choose a geometric mode of operation using a pictorial or…

The document presents the final report of the Initial Learning in Mainstreaming Project, which developed and tested instructional techniques in 14 specific mathematics skill areas with 429 handicapped and normal elementary school students in Grace and Soda Springs, Idaho. Skill areas included addition facts; subtraction facts; carrying…

The effect of a self-instructional (SI) training paradigm on the arithmetic deficits of orthopedically handicapped children and the degree to which training effects generalize to the classroom and to another arithmetic function were studied. The study consisted of two experiments, each conducted with three orthopedically handicapped students with…

This booklet, one of a series, has been developed for the project, A Program for Mathematically Underdeveloped Pupils. A project team, including inservice teachers, is being used to write and develop the materials for this program. The materials developed in this booklet include (1) systems of numeration from an historical point of view, (2) a…

Excerpts from interviews with pupils in grades 1, 2, 3, and 6 to ascertain their interpretations of mathematical sentences and symbols are presented. Children were found to consider the equal sign as an operator symbol ("do something") and not as a relational symbol. Implications for teaching are briefly discussed. (MS)

Material included in this bulletin provides an overview of research studies which pertain to teaching addition and subtraction of whole numbers in the primary grades. The studies mentioned relate directly to the following questions: (1) What foundation for addition and subtraction do children have upon entering school? (2) What is the relative…

This teacher guide is part of the materials prepared for an individualized program for ninth-grade algebra and basic mathematics students. Materials written for the program are to be used with audiovisual lessons recorded on tape cassettes. For an evaluation of the program, see ED 086 545. In this guide, the teacher is provided with objectives for…

Two simple quantitative models were derived from a series of experiments which explored the role of information storage in working memory when performing mental arithmetic. The decay model is a tractable analysis of a complex task which assumes a decay process in working storage. Similar analyses are recommended for problem solving activities…

Assumptions frequently made about learning disabled children are discussed, with many teaching suggestions provided. (MN)

Instructions are given for constructing and using a manipulative device which can help children to conceptualize and to comprehend the base-ten place-value system. (JT)

A unique magic hexagon, which can be used to help improve students' computational skills, is presented. (JT)

Second and third graders from six Dutch elementary schools (N = 168) solved two sets of almost identical addition and subtraction sums at a two-week interval. Inconsistency in strategies, which characterized half the subjects, was related to unfamiliar sums and resulted in misinterpreted errors. (TJH)