Contains biographical facts, contributions, quotations, and anecdotes about mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. Presents an activity in which students discover patterns in the sums of the reciprocals of the triangular numbers. Contains reproducible student worksheet. (MKR)

A teacher of deaf fifth graders recounts the use of math logs to help students to write about their math experiences and thus generate, comprehend, and express mathematical ideas and knowledge. The process also helped the teacher pinpoint math problem areas and assess and monitor students' understanding of math concepts. (DB)

Shows various methods of folding and cutting 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 9-, and 11-pointed stars. Discusses the geometry underlying each method. (MKR/SW)

Defines number sense and gives suggestions and activities for teachers to use in helping students develop number sense, including using process questions, using writing assignments, encouraging invented methods, using appropriate calculation tools, helping students establish benchmarks, and promoting internal questioning. (MKR)

Compared children's cognitive abilities at four years and their prenatal amniotic fluid testosterone levels. For girls, prenatal testosterone levels were related in a curvilinear manner to language comprehension and classification abilities, and inversely related to counting and knowledge of number facts. For boys, no relationships were found. (BC)

Young children benefit from activities that involve various partitions of numbers, especially the number 10. Presented are two activities that require students partition and recombine numbers to solve problems in a gamelike situations. Examples and worksheets are provided. (MDH)

Introduces a proof of Sarkovskii's Theorem based on the intermediate value theorem, making it accessible to readers with knowledge of calculus. The theorem deals with k-period continuous functions, functions for which fk(x)=x, where fk(x) is the composition of the f function k times. (MDH)

Based on Piaget's theory that children acquire number concepts by constructing them from within, the authors conclude that teaching algorithms harms mathematics learning. A better approach is allowing them to construct their own logico-mathematical knowledge and invent their own efficient procedures. (JOW)

Describes a mathematics activity using square pads of notepaper and sticky notes to do simple paper folding in order to increase students' understanding of fractions. (ASK)

Discusses how teachers can infuse culture into the curriculum and develop students' competence and confidence by using ethnomathematics. Examines the mathematics of the Mayan civilization. Contains 22 references. (ASK)

Examines the concept of number sense in mathematics learning, compares this concept to that of phonological awareness in reading, and urges application of existing research to improving mathematics instruction for students with mathematical disabilities. Reviews research on building automaticity with basic facts, adjusting instruction to address…

Describes a fourth-grade class' exploration involving measurement of body parts that developed from a work of children's literature. (ASK)

Presents the general postage-stamp problem on Diophantine equations. Discusses ways to uncover all solutions to the problem. (ASK)

Presents a study in which a group of 25 undergraduate students was given seven whole- or decimal-number estimations and asked to determine the exact answer using a calculator programmed to give incorrect answers. Points out subjects' lack of confidence in their estimation skills as well as a reluctance to question calculator-produced results.…

Discusses problems related to teaching decimals and fractions and converting between these two representations. Provides problems and activities that teachers can use in their classrooms to overcome student difficulties related to these subjects. (ASK)