This volume presents recommendations from four working groups at a conference on reform in algebra held in Leesburg, Virginia, December 9-12, 1993. Working Group 1: Creating an Appropriate Algebra Experience for All Grades K-12 Students produced the following papers: (1) "Report" (A. H. Schoenfeld); (2) "Five Questions About Algebra…

The study was conceptualized within the social critical perspective to investigate the effect of gender and socioeconomic background on the students' classroom communication and the hidden curriculum. Year 9 mathematics classrooms in two single-sex private schools were observed during the course of learning one chapter from the same textbook. One…

This volume contains the full text of 2 plenary papers and 26 research reports. In addition, brief, usually one-page, reports are provided for 6 discussion groups, 10 technology focus groups, 7 symposiums, 7 oral presentations, and 17 position sessions. The two full plenary reports are: (1) "Problems of Reification: Representations and…

Team research is important in studying cognition as enactive. This paper contains four different pieces of research directed toward the evidences and artifacts of two students in Canada engaging in a sustained mathematical activity. These four portraits of mathematical cognition in action consider the conversation in which the activity occurs; the…

This book contains activities designed to help teachers enrich the mathematical experiences of all children and reach toward fulfillment of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards. Chapters include: (1) "Prenumber, Number, Non-Number"; (2) "Place Value"; (3) "Addition, Subtraction"; (4)…

The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the application of a process approach for the teaching of algebra with a heterogeneous class of eighth-grade students. The assessment was conducted by identifying the processes used by above-average, average, and below-average algebra students in solving standard and nonstandard problems ranging…

This paper describes three methods that can be utilized in teaching for meaning in mathematics. These three methods are based on learning theories. Although there may not be consensus of what constitutes meaningful learning in the study of mathematics, there are problems with meaningless mathematics that are widely agreed upon by educators.…

The purpose of this document is to provide a framework around which systems and schools may build their mathematics curriculum. Important components of a mathematics education for the majority of students are identified. This document is presented in two parts. Part I, Principle for School Mathematics, addresses questions such as what is…

Algebra students typically pay little attention to choosing appropriate domains, ranges and scales of axes for graphing functions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of introducing an assignment and employing the graphing calculator to examine and alleviate students' difficulties regarding the selection of appropriate domains,…

Experiments using soap films illustrate some of the most basic theorems concerning networks in a geometric framework. (SD)

The curriculum for eleven-year old students in the United Kingdom, currently adopted by most schools, includes solving linear equations with the unknown on one side only before moving onto those with the unknown on both sides in later years. School textbooks struggle with the balance between developing algebraic understanding and training…

The focus of this document is on students' understanding of symbolization processes in algebra, and specifically their understanding of semantically laden letters. In the first four sections, four inappropriate ways in which many college students use semantically laden letters are described. Evidence from clinical interview protocols demonstrate…

This program is designed to enable students to master the competencies and skills which reflect the learning goals and objectives developed by the Illinois State Board of Education. This document lists the learning objectives by grade level and reporting period for kindergarten through grade three. Topics included are arithmetic, measurement,…

This study sought to determine whether there would be any relationship between age and success for students arbitrarily placed in "college-preparatory" beginning algebra on the basis of the ACT mathematics score. The study was conducted during the first term of 1985-86 at Broward Community College, in Florida. A list of 78 students…

This paper describes a review and synthesis of research on algebra. The purpose was to identify findings that may prove useful to teachers, supervisors, and administrators. Over 300 studies were identified and categorized in terms of classroom instructional practices, cognitive factors, attitudes and affective factors, problem solving, calculators…