The 1985 Indiana Mathematics Contest included tests in Algebra (First Course), Geometry, Algebra (Second Course), and Comprehensive. Test-writing responsibilities were delegated to mathematics and mathematics education faculties at four state universities, with the mathematical content based on course objectives in the state guidelines. Fourteen…

This paper proposes an hypothsis describing how some college students incorrectly view semantically laden letters and provides both clinical and written data that supports that hypothesis. Several word problems were given to nine college math students. These students were then interviewed as they attempted to solve these problems. In addition to…

Structuring the algebra course to provide a link between a student's existing knowledge and the new topic being presented is discussed. Developing relationships among topics is suggested through examples describing a mathematical problem and effective teaching approaches. Stress is placed on teachers reflecting on mistakes pupils are likely to…

Because of the extensiveness of the course outline for Math 301 (Manitoba Department of Education), schools would have had to purchase several different textbooks to cover the material adequately. Therefore, a set of materials to supplement the guide was developed. The exercises, projects, and reviews contained in this package are keyed to the 301…

Because of the extensiveness of the course outline for Math 201 (Manitoba Department of Education), schools would have had to purchase several different textbooks to cover the material adequately. Therefore, a set of materials to supplement the guide was developed. The exercises, projects, and reviews contained in this package are keyed to the 201…

Learned helplessness is a variable which has commonly been considered in research on sex-related differences in mathematics achievement. In this study, learned helplessness has been defined in terms of a debilitating or facilitating response resulting from failure on mathematical word problems. The construct has been called Performance Following…

Papers from the eighth annual meeting of the Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group are presented, beginning with a lecture by Alan Bishop on "The Social Construction of Meaning--A Significant Development for Mathematics Education." Also included are reports of four working groups: "LOGO and the Mathematics Curriculum"…

This is the teacher's guide to the SMSG text ANALYTIC GEOMETRY. The text is designed to be used as a one-semester course for 12th grade students. Included in this guide are: (1) suggested length of study for each chapter; (2) discussion of each chapter that is in the student text; (3) comments keyed to the pages of the student's text to provide…

The purpose of this project is to teach learning and understanding of mathematics at grades seven through nine through the use of science experiments. Previous knowledge of science on the part of students or teachers is not necessary. Lists of needed equipment are found at the beginning of this volume. It is strongly recommended that teachers try…

Approximately 1,700 University of Illinois Committee on School Mathematics (UICSM) algebra students were divided into 6 groups depending on grade (8th or 9th), version of UICSM first course text used (1958 or 1959), and duration of study. These students and nearly 700 non-UICSM algebra students were given Cooperative Algebra Test (Coop Algebra)…

Factoring puzzles can be used to review computational technique and build readiness for factoring trinomials. (SD)

The Czechoslovakian Academy of Sciences is sponsoring an experimental approach to the modernization of the geometry curriculum. Geometry is viewed as ancillary to other parts of the curriculum and is taught as appropriate to other subjects (e.g., algebra). Combinatorial geometry is taught formally. (SD)

From a special report, "What's New in Curriculum