Presents a day of activities to encourage students to participate in mathematics. Five contests include poster; model; mathematics puzzle; mathematics problem challenge; and essay. Some student entries and the rules for each contest are described. (MKR)

Presents the use of manipulatives in the three stages of concept learning called concrete, bridging, and symbolic. Examines the three stages in developing the concept of rounding two-digit numbers. (MDH)

Presents activities which use patterns on geoboards or dot paper to develop geometry and measurement concepts. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (MKR)

The reported practices of 25 elementary school teachers related to teaching mathematics with manipulatives, and reasons offered in support of instructional methodologies, were studied. Results reveal a wide range of interpretations of the term manipulatives and much variation in practice, highlighting a gap between research theory and practice.…

Presents a lesson plan for building and investigating three- dimensional cubes and a representation of a four-dimensional cube, sometimes called a hypercube. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (MKR)

Reports a study that compared the effects of three methods of instruction, use of hands-on activities, hands-on activities in combination with computer-assisted instruction (CAI), or text-based activities, on student achievement and attitude. Results indicated students receiving a combination of hands-on activities with CAI scored significantly…

Describes an exploratory geometry course in which students were challenged to develop their own axiomatic system instead of using a textbook. They developed a Euclidean system and learned to write proofs as a natural consequence of building the system. (13 references) (MKR)

Proposes the use of humor and the personalization of word problems by inserting students' names in the problem statement as methods of gaining students' attention. Illustrates their use in a mixture problem and the Tower of Hanoi problem. (MDH)

Presents an activity to investigate the dimensions of the maximum rectangular area given a fixed perimeter using mathematical modeling and manipulative materials. Students collect and compare data, find patterns, graph data, write functions, and discuss the meaning of the related mathematical model. Provides three reproducible worksheets for the…

Discusses four aspects of mathematics instruction envisioned by the "Professional Teaching Standards": choosing worthwhile mathematical tasks; orchestrating classroom discourse; creating a constructive environment for learning; and analyzing students' understanding and the contribution of teacher practice to student learning. Presents…

This experimental study compared the use of Belcastro rods with the use of traditional methods in teaching addition and subtraction of whole numbers to five blind students. Results showed a significant difference favoring the use of Belcastro rods. (Contains 30 references.) (MKR)

Describes enrichment activities in which students read selections from science trade books and perform hands-on science activities related to the readings. Suggests four readings and related activities involving trees, robots, spiders, and birds. (Contains 13 references.) (MDH)

Describes a unit on magnetism that utilizes hands-on activities in which students make hypotheses for discrepant behavior, discover whether a magnet attracts one object through another, measure the strength of magnets, explore levitating paper clips, and play a game dependent on magnetic attraction. (MDH)

Whether boys and girls shared equally in performing behaviors required in hands-on activities in the performance-based science classroom was studied over the school year with 165 students in grades five through eight. Being actively involved predicted students' year-end science attitudes, and boys tended to handle the resources more often. (SLD)

Argues that basic components of discrete mathematics can be introduced to students through gradual elaboration of experiences with iconic spreadsheet-based simulations of concrete materials. Suggests that the study of homogeneous and heterogeneous patterns of manipulative spreadsheet templates allows for appreciation of the development of…