Reports a study investigating the instructional use of microcomputers by secondary mathematics teachers, and discusses results from a sample of 128 completed questionnaires showing that computer utilization is hampered by inadequate access to equipment, lack of software appropriate to the mathematics curricula, and a lack of guidance for…

Describes two lessons in which a fifth grade teacher emphasized the mechanics of mathematics, such as carrying out various computational procedures, to her students. The first lesson introduced students to the concept of averages. In the second lesson, the teacher conducted class surveys to provide data for computing averages. (BB)

Reviews and compares "Gender and Mathematics" edited by Leone Burton and Valerie Walkerdine's book "Schoolgirl Fictions" on proposed truths related to gender issues in mathematics. Issues include (1) attention given to boys and girls in mathematics class; (2) the effects of noncompetitive classroom environments; and (3) sex differences in…

Presents activities to visually explore the algebraic concepts of variable, constant, the distributive property, and combining like terms. Presents four transparencies that use visual models to understand exercises in students perform the same mental calculations on a number of their choice and obtain the same result. (MDH)

Presents 11 open-ended questions that can be presented to students and teachers at all educational levels in various formats to assess mathematical beliefs. Questions investigate beliefs toward mathematics, the problem-solving process, mathematicians, and mathematical applications. (MDH)

Relates research findings on the way primary-grade students communicate mathematical ideas through the use of symbols to a framework for students to investigate the part-whole relationship of quantity. Discusses children's problem-solving abilities, linking word problems and symbols, the importance of context for understanding symbols, and the…

Discusses aspects of cooperative problem solving that include the selection of appropriate problems and the grading of group and individual papers using an analytical scoring scale. Offers six tips for grading cooperative problem solving. An appendix provides solutions to cited problems, potential follow-up questions, and an annotated…

This article presents the "concrete semiconcrete abstract" (CSA) teaching sequence for teaching basic math skills to students with and without learning disabilities. Guidelines include providing a minimum of nine instructional lessons (three at each level), each with four lesson steps. Validation of the CSA sequence and lesson format with 15…

This article describes a calculus lesson that illustrates the nature of cycles in simple systems of nonlinear differential equations through the use of the Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model as incorporated in the computer software package, Phaser (version 1.0). (JJK)

An incident light ray parallel to the optical axis of a parabolic mirror will be reflected at the focal point and vice versa. Presents a mathematical proof that uses calculus, algebra, and geometry to prove this reflective property. (MDH)

Small group work has grown in use throughout the 1980s. Reported are six issues that were raised concerning small groups resulting from a series of workshops for university students in which the students worked on problems in groups, jointly planned tasks, and critiquing their use during their practice experience. (MDH)

Presents a series of hands-on activities for grades K-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 6-8 using the common theme of kites to develop number sense in basic operations and fractions. Teachers' guides and worksheets are provided. (MDH)

Presents teaching methods to rectify the tendency of students and even teachers to divide the smaller number into the larger in problem situations requiring division, while recognizing the impossibility of the answer in the situation. (MDH)

Presents activities that relate the Olympic Games to measurement. Includes descriptions of and worksheets for 5 activities involving estimation, nonstandard units of measure, linear measure, and time measurement for grade levels K-2, 2-4, and 5-8. (MDH)

Reports on the differences in two sections of a college course on differential equations. Results on a common examination showed that writing assignments substituted for traditional homework assignments did not improve test performance. However, survey results indicated that students felt the writing assignments, in lieu of additional homework,…