Argues that, though considerable difference of view is evident between Montessori and Piaget about the importance of certain concepts and level of cognitive development necessary for genuine understanding, the ideas and methods first presented by Montessori 80 years ago stand up well when evaluated through the lens of current research. (PK)

Argues that number concepts are not single-faceted ideas that children either have or do not have. Suggests that number concepts can be broadened by helping children develop a collection of relations. Examples of classroom activities are included. (PK)

Suggests that microcomputers permit even young children to investigate mathematical relationships and to solve problems. Activities, both on the computer and off the computer, are suggested. (PK)

Outlines New York and federal laws governing the collection of natural materials (plants, animals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, bird nests) for teaching purposes. Notes sources of helpful information and required permits. (MH)

Recently, children's play has gained considerable attention, and important concerns have emerged. The volume presents a review and critical analysis of the research and theoretical knowledge on the educational play of young children. The chapters reflect a range of philosophies on various aspects of children's play. Each chapter includes a review…

This study investigated changes in mathematics anxiety levels among future teachers in two different mathematics materials and methods classes. The changes were a function of using (1) Bruner's framework of developing conceptual knowledge before procedural knowledge, and (2) manipulatives to make mathematics concepts more concrete. The study…

Describes teaching strategies in which children are encouraged to develop computational procedures that are meaningful to them. Authors state that classroom observation reveals most primary students to be capable of developing their own accurate solution procedures for multi-digit addition and subtraction as well as for simple multiplication and…

Details evaluation of effectiveness of the Montessori Movable Alphabet in successive exercises to build preschoolers' knowledge about written English. Describes preliminary activities, movable alphabet introduction, dictation, expanded usage, object/picture use, vowel addition, vowel combination, blends, phonetic phrases, H-digraphs, long vowels,…

The use of commercial games to design and construct games to drill specific mathematics skills is discussed. Game types discussed include card games and board games. Two game boards adapted from "Chutes and Ladders" and "Battleship" are provided. (CW)

Presents a cooperative-learning lesson in which high school students visit stations equipped with different tools to establish the midpoint of a Pixy Stix, a brand of candy-filled straw. Provides solutions for two potential stations, suggestions to extend the activity, and two activity worksheets. (MDH)

Presents an activity to introduce students to the intrinsic curvature of surfaces using a wide variety of objects. Describes student discoveries, several variations on the project, and possible classroom discussion topics. A reproducible student worksheet and 17 references are included. (MKR)

Summarizes research conducted within a series of professional development workshops for teachers in grades K-8 which emphasize basic reasoning skills, integrating manipulative materials, and technology. Demonstrates these principles using patterns, relations, and functions as examples. (Author/MKR)

Presents a series of 5 reproducible worksheets for grade levels 5-10 that provide hands-on activities to help develop the concept of slope. (MDH)

Presents an activity that uses M & M's candy to initiate discussion about the mathematical concepts of empty set, zero, more than, less than, most least, and equivalent sets. Suggests extensions that could follow this activity. (MDH)

Presents a hands-on mathematics task that can be investigated experimentally to produce a sequence of numbers. Describes ways to extrapolate values of the table of numbers by formulating and verifying a conjecture related to the pattern in the numbers. (MDH)