The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics'"Professional Standards for Teaching Mathematics" perceive teachers as key figures in changing the way mathematics is conceived and taught. Discusses research related to teacher reflection and its relation to classroom practice. (MDH)

Describes a class activity in which students create word problems associated to specific arithmetic problems that are then edited in their English class. Using the computer laboratory and a word-processing program under the supervision of the media specialist, the problems are compiled in a booklet, printed, and distributed. (MDH)

The author analyzes his 11-year-old daughter's investigation of patterns in multiplication. In an investigation initiated herself, Becca generates hypotheses, discovers patterns, asks questions, and discards procedures that do not produce desired results. Providing a classroom environment that values questioning is a key recommendation. (MLN)

Uses computers to help students identify variables controlling pendulum period. A program written in BASIC for the Apple computer is provided. The activities are useful for developing science skills, mathematics skills, and computer skills. (PR)

Preschool children (n=115) in Poland were tested in five areas: counting, equipotency of sets, dividing, adding, and comparing. Results showed that these children already had informal knowledge of many of the concepts and skills included in the mathematics curriculum in the early grades. (PDD)

Presents several across-the-curriculum activities for elementary teachers. Math activities include reading a book and dividing with beans. Science activities teach about caves and about the weather. A writing activity explains how to inspire students to write good stories. An art activity focuses on Chinese landscapes. (SM)

Discusses a theme-based project (third in a four-part series from the California Academy of Mathematics and Science) provoking critical thinking concerning meeting human needs through technology. Notes that students were "transported" back into the Middle Ages and had to raise money for their travel back to the future using science, mathematics,…

Two approaches for identifying, evaluating, and disseminating materials are discussed. One is the National Diffusion Network and its Program Effectiveness Panel, and the other is the Committee on Education and Human Resources, a new interagency effort with potential for examining a large body of generally underutilized mathematics and science…

Surveys the format and contents of fifteenth- and sixteenth-century arithmetic textbooks. Discusses the types of problems that were most popular in these early texts and briefly analyzes problem contents. Notes the residual educational influence of this era's arithmetical and instructional practices. (Contains 29 references.) (Author/MDH)

Presents two practices used by rural Brazilians to estimate area of land and volumes of tree trunks. Using an ethnomathematical approach, develops educational ideas involving the interrelations between academic and popular mathematical knowledge in the context of the struggle for land. Discusses contributions of this work to the process of social…

A guide for teachers and librarians covering over 50 Spanish-language books that introduce children to various animals; the world around them; colors, shapes, and numbers; the universe; basic science concepts; and the process of conception, pregnancy, and birth. (MDH)

Presents a questionnaire that eighth grade students fill out to evaluate their mathematics class. Discusses how this evaluation gives the teacher valuable feedback for classroom management and instruction. Also gives insight into students' thinking. (ASK)

Identifies the types of reasoning involved in middle grade mathematics with regard to multiplicative structures and the difficulties students have with the concepts, why these difficulties might occur, and the interconnections within this content area. Offers four recommendations for the preparation and professional development of teachers.…

Discusses the need to learn about computer technology in preservice teacher education and describes a course developed at Brigham Young University as a model for teaching mathematics using technology that was offered via the Internet. Discusses Web pages, e-mail, Usenet, student and teacher reactions, and applications to K-12 classrooms. (LRW)

Describes how to place mathematical equations modeling population growth into a spreadsheet that performs calculations quickly and easily. Suggests experiments that can be performed with the spreadsheets. (WRM)