This digest suggests that research findings can provide teachers with verification and clarification of how children learn mathematics, and thus how to teach mathematics more effectively. Three topics are discussed: (1) number concepts; (2) problem solving; and (3) manipulative materials. (PK)

The unit box concept is an inquiry-oriented unit of instruction which helps preservice students develop teachable science units based on commercially available teaching guides. The unit box (which utilizes appropriate concrete materials to encourage hands-on learning for elementary students) contains everything needed to teach a specific unit,…

A first-grade teacher implemented a practicum intervention designed to increase the availability and use of manipulative materials for mathematics activities in kindergarten, first-, and second-grade classes. Primary goals were to: (1) provide teachers with the understanding and competence needed to incorporate the use of manipulative materials…

A multi-subject approach to using tangram puzzles in the classroom is included along with a short history section and accompanying lessons. These lessons provide an introduction to tangrams; methods for teaching bilingual and English-dominant children concepts and skills through activities that do not require strong English skills; and activities…

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative effectiveness of two instructional approaches upon the attitude, achievement, and retention of fourth, fifth, and sixth graders studying a 3-week unit on the metric system. A laboratory approach, in which students measured three-dimensional objects with tools scaled in metric units, was…

Observation of patterns constructed on geoboards can lead to discussions of properties of primes, number sequences, and complex numbers. (SD)

This study was designed to examine effects that access to manipulatives in science instruction have with respect to the development of spatial conceptual abilities and whether the effects were different for males and females. A secondary purpose of this investigation was to examine what relationship sex and access to manipulatives in conjunction…

The instruction of finger counting and finger calculation, also known as Chisanbop, is promoted as a natural method of introducing and teaching the basic processes of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to children, particularly to those who are mentally and physically handicapped. The sequential process for teaching finger…

This manual contains information on how to start and operate a toy lending library. Chapters and their subsections are: (1) Purpose of Toy Lending Libraries; (2) Types of Toy Libraries (independent libraries, libraries as part of other community services, and libraries mostly for parents); (3) Selecting Appropriate Toys and Equipment (general tips…

The production and use of tangible aids for teaching complete mental concepts to the blind are discussed. The Thermoform vacuum duplicating machine which produces teaching aids simulating pictures or drawings used by sighted children is described; and examples of Thermoform masters are cited, including Mendel's law, the maze, four stages of cell…

This book is a compilation of homemade and inexpensive developmental play equipment ideas that may be used in the home and school with preschool and elementary school children. Each equipment idea contains the objectives for its use, the materials and approximate cost, how to assemble the equipment, and a variety of activity ideas. Illustrations…

Preservice elementary teachers enrolled in a mathematics course were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups for instruction on computation in bases other than 10. Group 1 (Min-M) involved minimal guidance and a concrete level of abstraction, while group 2 (Max-S) had a large amount of guidance and dealt with concepts at a symbolic level.…

Given in this manual are materials used in the Bilingual Mini Head Start Program to teach migrant preschool children about their Mexican cultural heritage. Presented in Spanish, the activities include pronunciation exercises, rhymes, tales, songs, dances, games, and manual activities. Materials are given for teaching about: (1) El Dia de la…

This guide was prepared to include motor development activities that supplement the regular physical education curriculum; it was written primarily for teachers of children with learning problems, but may also offer ideas to any teacher wishing to broaden the motor development experiences in the regular physical education program. The guide is…

This study was conducted to determine the relative effectiveness of the use of three different combinations of enactive, ikonic and symbolic representation in teaching multiplication to third-grade students. Ninety students in three classrooms were instructed in accordance with the assigned treatment for nine weeks. Groups were equated using the…