Presented is a way to provide students with a review and an appreciation of the versatility of pointers in data structures by improvising with binary trees. Examples are described using the Pascal programing language. (KR)

Considers innumeracy, the unfamiliarity with mathematical concepts and methods, as being significantly pernicious to the evolution of technological societies. Proposes that the teaching of mathematics through culturally intimate, practical examples and models can profoundly contribute to the confidence necessary to encourage and sustain widespread…

Presents an activity for representing a given number in as many ways as possible using short periods of time to develop students' number sense and provide the teacher the opportunity to make informal student assessment and diagnosis. Provides specific dialogue of the activity being used in a third grade class. (MDH)

Discusses a course which combines Assessment, Investigation, and Mathematical Skills (A.I.M.S.) to originate, arouse, and sustain student interest in mathematics by changing to a more group-centered, democratic style of classroom management and by shifting toward more self-evaluation on the part of the students. (MKR)

Durer's method for drawing an ellipse is used to explain why some people think an ellipse is egg shaped and to show how this method can be used to derive the Cartesian form of the ellipse. Historical background and suggestions for further reading are included. (KR)

Described is a way that elemental mathematics can be applied to explain an astronomical phenomenon. The fact that the extreme of sunrise and sunset do not occur on the shortest or longest days of the year is analyzed using graphs and elementary calculus. (KR)

The three middle school games described in this article focus on problem solving and mathematical reasoning skills. Included are Solomon's game, nine mens' morris, and nim-with-cards which all offer not only high student interest and strong mathematical value but also simple rules, ease of construction, and attractiveness for repeated play.…

Six articles help elementary teachers cultivate students' critical thinking skills across the curriculum with activities like examining past predictions and future forecasting, exploring science via ice and snow, strengthening critical reading through visual clues, discussing prediction using mathematical patterns, and studying vision with a…

Presented are two ideas to improve instruction. The first celebrates the Christmas birthday of Isaac Newton with an essay assignment related to Newton and a party. The second suggests a more appropriate moment to introduce the technique of completing the square to promote greater flexibility in factoring problems. (MDH)

LEAP (Learning through an Expanded Arts Program), a nonprofit educational organization aimed at improving educational quality in New York City's five boroughs, has served over 400,000 students over the past 12 years. LEAP projects such as Promoting Success and fraction quilts provide hands-on experience with art and music that help students learn…

Describes two studies at Brigham Young University which investigated whether the Pre-Professional Skills Test can identify teacher education candidates who lack essential skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. Demonstrates that the test is relevant to the kinds of skills and knowledge that teacher education students need to succeed.…

Assigned college student subjects (N=149) to verbal or mathematics and success or failure conditions to test hypothesis from self-efficacy theory. Changes in task self-efficacy and interest resulting from task success or failure were in accordance with predictions. Task performance effects generalized to global mathematics and verbal ability…

Presented is an activity designed to develop a concrete linear model to assist students in estimating answers to percentage problems and developing an understanding of the concept of percentage. (CW)

Describes the benchmark and decomposition-recomposition estimation strategies and presents five techniques to develop students' estimation ability. Suggests situations involving quantities of candy and popcorn in which the teacher can model those strategies for the students. (MDH)

Describes how one second-grade teacher opened the way to an understanding of mathematical concepts for her students by opening some favorite children's books. Four specific titles along with the mathematical skills they focus on and suggested teaching ideas are presented. Additional resources are included for each title. (BB)