This study showed that Oksapmin children not only spontaneously use the indigenous numerical system of their nontechnical culture but also have created new forms of numerical symbolization and calculation to deal with schooling arithmetic problems. Novel conceptual developments, factors mediating the schools effect, and the influence of prior…

Patterns resulting from polygonal numbers are explored, with examples of triangular, square, pentagonal, rectangular, and other numbers. Tables and formulas to be developed are included. (MNS)

A useful approach for developing insights and discovering patterns is to examine numbers in relation to the number of their divisors. A teaching procedure for this approach is presented, with questions, answers, and homework suggestions. (MNS)

Three worksheets are given that use calculators to free students from computational restrictions and allow them to focus on the recognition of patterns and the application of numeration concepts in the development of their estimation skills. (MNS)

Presents activities that have been used successfully in leading students from concrete experiences through pictorial and symbolic representations of important numeration concepts and patterns, including place value, multiples, and rounding. Each activity includes concept or skill fostered, list of materials needed, recommended grade level, and…

Presents an activity, suitable for students in grades 6-12, on generating random numbers. Objectives, equipment needed, list of prerequisite experiences, instructional strategies, and ready-to-copy student worksheets are included. (JN)

Judgments of similarities between numbers were solicited from kindergarten, third-grade, sixth-grade, and adult subjects. Results suggested children become sensitive to an expanding set of numerical relations during the period from kindergarten through sixth grade. Results of a second study suggested that the number similarity judgments of…

This section includes brief articles on holding a 'metric review show,' the 'normal' approach to graphing, graphing polynomials by using the powers of the factors, and some sum derivations. (MNS)

The probability of winning the contest was analyzed, with the mathematical solution and a computer simulation given. A flowchart and computer program are both included. (MNS)

Activities are presented to give students a picture of decimal concepts of tenths and hundredths. Three models (linear, regional, and value) are described, followed by four activities. (MNS)

Fourth-grade students' understanding of the order and equivalence of rational numbers was investigated in 132 interviews during an 18-week teaching experiment. Six children were instructed individually and as a group at two sites, with instruction relying heavily on manipulative aids. Strategies used to compare fractions were identified. (MNS)

Beginning with a simple computer program to teach a fundamental concept and building in small increments is suggested. For the topic of repeated operations, three activities, an extension, and some problems are given. (MNS)

Three lessons are outlined which employ "scholar dollars," pretend bills and coins of different denominations that students can make and use to help solve subtraction, division, and decimal problems. The technique clarifies difficult mathematical concepts by making them less abstract. (PP)

Gifted students attending a week's summer mathematics program completed problems involving elementary number theory ideas and extensions. The sequence of these problems and strategies used are presented to help teachers looking for topics to enrich the mathematical experiences of students in middle grades or older. (JN)

Drawing floor plans for an apartment is used as the basis for giving students practice in applying the concepts of ratio, fractions, and scale. (DT)