Describes an activity presented in sports fishing magazines on developing a formula that predicts the weight in pounds of a game fish given its length in inches by using a TI-83 graphing calculator. Highlights the importance of using real-life problems and mathematical explorations. (ASK)

Compares effects of two models of vocabulary instruction--an integrated graphic organizer/discussion model and a definition-only model--on the mathematical vocabulary use of fourth grade students. Finds, after two weeks of instruction, a larger number of mathematical concepts recorded by the group using the integrated model than the group using…

Interviewed 70 children learning multidigit addition and subtraction in 2 different learning environments. Found that understanding and skill were closely related for tasks in which students had received no instruction and on more difficult tasks even after instruction. The alternative instruction, which encouraged students to develop their own…

Examined effects of problem size in mental addition among elementary children in China (n=104) and Missouri (n=105) and among undergraduates in China (n=26) and Missouri (n=35). For all Missouri subjects and Chinese through first grade, larger-valued numbers took longer and induced more errors. (Author/NBI)

Presents an activity that explores the derivation of Pi. Involves students taking a constructivist role by collecting data, making conjectures, and using the data to construct graphs and tables and discourse about appropriate algebraic representations. Uses the computer as an instructional aid to enable students to view the data in a variety of…

Considers the effects of an Integrated Learning System (ILS) on the mathematics test scores of elementary school children. Results indicate that ILS software had its greatest effect on mathematics concepts scores, which is contrary to the commonly held opinion that mathematics software is effective primarily in drill and practice of computational…

Reports on part of a study that was conducted with individual students (n=5) and five groups of students who worked together in the first course of experimental calculus classes. The goal of the study was to discover how the concept of inverse function can be learned. (26 references) (DDR)

Presents an investigation, applicable for grades 3-6, that focuses on the concept of randomness and encourages children to conjecture and to conduct experiments which verify or contradict their intuitions. Involves using hands-on explorations, collecting data, and drawing conclusions on the basis of the information. (JRH)

Explains spreadsheets and presents activities that elementary school teachers can use to teach themselves and their students about spreadsheets for complex math concepts. Spreadsheet templates are then placed in electronic "posters" to create interactive activities to help students visualize and communicate mathematical concepts. (Author/LRW)

Recounts experiences of a university professor who returned to the elementary classroom and attempted to implement the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards and appropriate assessment methods, including nontraditional paper-and-pencil tasks, journal-like writing assignments, focused observations, and performance-based assessments…

Reports on the results of the reform curriculum of the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project's elementary curriculum, Everyday Mathematics, for third-grade students. Results included the fact that only 2% of UCSMP students failed to meet state goals. UCSMP students also scored well in all mathematical areas including number skills and…

Reflections of a second grade mathematics teacher include the importance of organizing the year into units (place value, sorting, geometry, probability, comparing numbers, and geometry again), the benefits of giving choices within the classroom, assigning homework where the student must teach a lesson to someone at home, and the ability of the…

Describes a classroom project involving the construction of a holiday mobile. Necessary supplies include a lightweight hanger, construction paper, string, scissors, protractors, compasses, and rulers. Concepts involved in the construction of the project include illustrating a chord, radius, diameter, shapes, metric measuring, circumference, area,…

Investigates mathematical phenomena with students through a dialog between teacher and students in an inquiry-based mathematics class. (KHR)

Presents a game of classifying objects according to their attributes using a three-set Venn diagram, then analyzing the classification of the objects to determine their accuracy. Requires students to capture opponents' game pieces (tangrams) by making mathematical arguments that identify misplaced pieces. (YDS)