Using 6 longitudinal data sets, the authors estimate links between three key elements of school readiness--school-entry academic, attention, and socioemotional skills--and later school reading and math achievement. In an effort to isolate the effects of these school-entry skills, the authors ensured that most of their regression models control for…

This paper is structured in two sections. The first examines views of mathematical abstraction in two broad categories: empiricist and dialectical accounts. It documents the difficulties involved in and explores the potentialities of both accounts. Then it outlines a recent model which takes a dialectical materialist approach to abstraction in…

This paper discusses the use of Numicon number teaching materials with children with Down syndrome. The theory underlying the design of the materials is discussed, the teaching approach and methodology are described and evidence supporting effectiveness is outlined. (Contains 4 figures.)

A systematic review of literature in the area of counting in Down syndrome was conducted to identify and analyze ability to count of children with Down syndrome. We firstly reviewed the most famous theories which have explained how typically developing children acquire counting, and then we discussed how children with Down syndrome acquire…

The relationships between heuristic literacy development and mathematical achievements of middle school students were explored during a 5-month classroom experiment in two 8th grade classes (N = 37). By heuristic literacy we refer to an individual's capacity to use heuristic vocabulary in problem-solving discourse and to approach scholastic…

The purpose of this study was to compare the isolated effects of cover-copy-compare (CCC) with the combined effects of CCC and two types of performance feedback (i.e., digits correct and incorrect per minute) on sixth grade students' mathematics fluency and accuracy. An alternating treatments design was employed to compare treatments across 16…

This article describes an instructional sequence intended to help students think about why integer operations work the way they do. It introduces the idea of an integer as a composite unit and embeds the well-known debit/credit model in an "allowance" context. (Contains 3 figures.)

Each year, when standardized test scores are published for California students, the same message tends to surface: In general, the scores of blacks and Latinos trail those of other groups, especially whites. This pattern emerges so often that it usually doesn't surprise educators or researchers. In the author's search to better understand the…

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' (NCTM's) Process Standards support teaching that helps students develop independent, effective mathematical thinking. The books in the Heinemann Math Process Standards Series give every middle grades math teacher the opportunity to explore each standard in depth. The series offers friendly,…

Constructing model hot air balloons is an activity that captures the imaginations of students, enabling teachers to present required content to minds that are open to receive it. Additionally, there are few activities that lend themselves to integrating so much content across subject areas. In this article, the authors describe how they have…

Three mathematics scoring methods are being used or explored in large scale assessment programs: (1) item-by-item scoring; (2) holistic scoring; and (3) "trait" scoring. This study investigated all three methods of scoring on three mathematics performance-based assessments. Mathematics assessment tasks were selected from a pool of pilot tasks…

This study assessed estimation skills on both static and transformation (conservation) tasks on numerosities ranging from 3 to 16, and included addition and subtraction trials to control for response bias. A total of 148 four- and five-year-old children estimated the number of balls of yarn sewn on elastic straps, and participated in 1 addition, 1…

The impact of summer vacation on the reading and arithmetic skills of 166 learning disabled pupils (6 to 11 years old) was examined. Ss included pupils in resource programs or special classes. Analysis of scores on the Wide Range Achievement Test (reading and arithmetic subtests) before and after summer vacation revealed significant differences in…

This handbook is designed as a guide for teachers and students in choosing and developing mathematics projects. Included are materials ranging from simple demonstrations of mathematical problems or principles that the teachers had assigned as classroom learning experiences to complex, sophisticated exhibits intended for fairs and competitions. The…

Concern has been expressed in recent years about the accuracy of medication administered by nurses in Papua New Guinean hospitals. Attention has been focused on the calculation of the drug dosages. This paper discusses the processes involved in the administration of medication, and reports on a study to evaluate the competence of student nurses at…