A study, conducted to determine the effects of silent single concept loop films on student production and teacher dependency for machine trade instruction, is examined and discussed. The results showed no significant effect on student production; however, students' dependency on the teacher was reduced. (DS)

The first article describes students' activities with tiling patterns and tessellations; the second discusses the use of balances and weights as an approach to number concepts. (DT)

Models are discussed both as concrete representations of mental constructs and as various manipulative devices. Illustrations of effective model use, suggestions for acquiring models, and lists of models for specific concepts are included. (LS)

Specific examples of activities that have been effective in classrooms are described. (LS)

Patterns of equilateral triangles, squares, rectangles, and regular pentagons are provided for students to use in building models of polyhedra. (DT)

Describes development of units to teach measuring skills using manipulative materials. Concepts fostered include repetition of identical units, comparison, and standardized units. Descriptions of activities on length and area and mass are given, as well as references for additional activities. (JM)

The emergence and differentiation of partitioning as a process that leads young children to construct ideas of rational numbers was traced through clinical sessions with 43 primary children as they manipulated objects. The data analysis led to a five-level theory of the partitioning process. (MNS)

Fourteen probability activities are presented, categorized as activities with impossible and certain events, mystery bags, decks of cards, dice, spinners, and flipping. They help children develop an intuitive understanding of probability. (MNS)

A set of three worksheets is provided, along with a guide for the teacher. Using manipulative materials, students investigate the difference between the consecutive sums of the numbers along the three sides of a triangle. (MNS)

Describes how students who are learning disabled can improve their writing skills through physical movement and manipulating visuals. Describes how movement draws on kinesthetic intelligence and manipulatives draw on spatial intelligence to help students understand language structures in nonverbal ways that may be more intuitive than verbal…

Outlines benefits of and skills involved in problem solving. Details how an environment rich in materials that foster cause-and-effect or trial-and-error explorations promote cognitive development among toddlers. Offers examples of problem-solving experiences and lists materials for use in curriculum planning. Describes the teacher' role as one of…

Introduces exercises on histograms and frequency density. Guides pupils to Discovering Important Statistical Concepts Using Spreadsheets (DISCUSS), created at the University of Coventry. Includes curriculum points, teaching tips, activities, and internet address (http://www.coventry.ac.uk/discuss/). (KHR)

Discusses the use of manipulative materials by elementary teachers in preservice and inservice methods courses. Lists nine practical hints. (YP)

Microcomputers can promote productive and engaged learning time with special education students, when teachers: combine microcomputer experiences with use of manipulative materials, utilize small cooperative student groups as well as individual microcomputer time, provide direct teaching, monitor performance, and promote generalization through…