Discusses how large hollow blocks can meet many preschool children's learning needs through creative dramatic play, and also gives some guidelines on how these blocks can be constructed by parents and teachers. (BB)

Tessellations provide an opportunity to incorporate a variety of geometric topics in one unit, allowing students to review shapes and focus on relationships among them. Three activities are described, with illustrations. (MNS)

Uses manipulative materials to build and examine geometric models that simulate the self-similarity properties of fractals. Examples are discussed in two dimensions, three dimensions, and the fractal dimension. Discusses how models can be misleading. (Contains 10 references.) (MDH)

Presents three teaching ideas: (1) investigating patterns in the sum of four numbers in a square array, no two from the same column or row; (2) using three-dimensional coordinates to generate models of three tetrahedra; and (3) applying the K=rs area formula for a triangle to other polygons. (MDH)

Study of (n=101) eighth-grade physical science students learning principles of plane mirrors using mirrors and Miras found that males scored significantly higher than females on a chapter test but that all students benefited when both Miras and mirrors were used throughout the learning process. (18 references) (Author/MKR)

Presents a geometry game which offers K-2 students a way to learn geometric concepts and skills as part of a small-group or cooperative-learning activity or in a learning center. (MKR)

Applies the Lesh Translation Model to develop conceptual understanding by showing relationships between five modes of representation proposed by Lesh to learn multiplication of fractions. Presents five teaching activities based on the translation model. (MDH)

Presents three hands-on, discovery geometry lessons based on the use of special pieces called Polydrons by a fifth-grade class to build and investigate special properties of polyhedra and to stimulate students to think geometrically. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (MKR)

Presents lesson plans for activities to introduce recursive sequences of polygons: golden triangles, regular pentagons, and pentagrams. The resulting number patterns involve Fibonacci sequences. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (MKR)

This paper describes student performance and beliefs regarding fractions resulting from a five-phase approach toward developing mathematical intuition via physical materials. Interviews with students using this approach and with students using a conventional textbook approach indicated significant differences in problem-solving abilities and…

Examines aspects of language connections in the learning of mathematics in three sections that discuss the interaction between language, symbolism, and manipulatives; emphasis on context in language development; and language connections in problem solving. Presents implications for nonnative English speakers. (MDH)

Presents a case study of one kindergarten class in which the mathematics center is the popular area in the room. Focuses on how math is best understood if activities follow the five-C formula: collaborative, concrete, comprehensive, connecting, and cavorting. Describes how children used manipulatives to construct mathematics concepts…

The experience tutoring a student who is blind in four semesters of university calculus is discussed. The mechanics, instructional strategies employed, and the challenges encountered are examined as they relate to teaching mathematics. It was found there are important similarities and also differences as compared to sighted students in teaching…

The authors describe and use a psychotherapeutic modality known as sandtray therapy in order to help thirteen veteran teachers in the graduate educational leadership program at Brigham Young University reflect on the biographical, critical, and spiritual dimensions of their sense of calling as educational leaders. The authors first look at…

This article reports on the use of a unique number system to facilitate teachers' understanding of the concepts of place value. Teachers' mastery of base-ten may hinder their recognition of the difficulties students have with place value, so the authors created a number system that used five symbols to represent values. Using this system, teachers…