A holiday quilt project in a kindergarten classroom becomes a focus for exploring patterns, shapes, measurement, spatial relationships, and number sense. Cooperative group work, problem solving, and communication of mathematical ideas enhance the completion of the project. (Contains 5 figures.)

This article considers steps towards making a numeracy-across-the-curriculum policy. Numeracy means more than the kind of everyday arithmetic a person (a competent independent adult) needs to handle whole number (and simple decimal) calculations; e.g., money, time, and simple measurement. Importantly, aspects of numeracy arise in any everyday task…

Number sense development was tracked from the beginning of kindergarten through the middle of first grade, over six time points. Children (n=277) were then assessed on general math achievement at the end of first grade. Number sense performance in kindergarten, as well as number sense growth, accounted for 66 percent of the variance in first-grade…

In this article, Richard Barwell comments on "Mathematics as Social: Understanding Relationships between Home and School Numeracy Practices," [Baker, Street, and Tomlin 23(3)]. In their article, Baker, Street, and Tomlin give an example of a numeracy event, in which Aayesha, a young informant from a South Asian background, counts on her…

The question of how the skills and knowledge of the adult language, literacy and numeracy workforce can be improved is particularly relevant in view of the ongoing debate on how language, literacy and numeracy skills should be taught. This study reflects on the professional development needs of the three sectors--vocational trainers, specialist…

This book introduces case studies in mathematics education that provide teachers with opportunities to look at someone else's teaching in an objective way and analyze their own teaching with a critical eye. In addition, this book addresses many of the topics considered the hardest to teach and learn, including place value, number sentences, basic…

This paper presents five snapshots of data collected by adult basic math students taking part as co-researchers in a project to investigate the discourse of an adult basic math classroom. The work is presented against a background of the Freirean influence on adult literacy and numeracy. The notions of empowerment and dialogue in the Freirean…

This paper reports on the development to date of the numeracy conceptual framework for the Adult Literacy and Lifeskills (ALL) Project. The inclusion of a numeracy scale in the ALL survey offered a significant opportunity to develop a new conceptual framework for adult numeracy. This paper discusses the meaning of numeracy and the notion of…

This document discusses the term 'numeracy' which is also known as 'mathematical literacy' in some parts of the world. In Australia, the term numeracy carries different meanings based on the particular education system, which creates difficulties in both communication and research. The study investigates Australian children's numeracy achievement…

Over the last 20 years, the use of calculators and digital measuring equipment has to some extent replaced mathematical mental/written activity and also the use of analogue measuring equipment. This paper explores some aspects of number concept, reading the number line, and estimation from scales. The students being considered are mainly part of a…

Explores a workable definition of mathematical structure and a rationale for teaching mathematical structure in the secondary school. Continues with mathematical structure appropriate for secondary mathematics teachers and suggestions for teaching mathematical structure in the secondary school. Contains 11 references. (ASK)

Addresses the question of how the concept of "bildung"--which encompasses the process of personal development and change throughout life as well as the goal of the formation of shaping or forming--can be used as a tool for exploring goals of teaching numeracy to adults who lack basic mathematical skills. (Author/VWL)

Advocates an across-the-curriculum approach to quantitative literacy in higher education that incorporates and assesses: (1) foundational statistical and mathematical skills; (2) quantitative reasoning skills; and (3) attitudes and beliefs about mathematics and quantitative reasoning. (SLD)

Infants looked at visual displays of two or three items while listening to auditory sequences of two or three sounds. When the rate and duration of sounds were constant, infants looked longer at the visual display that was numerically equivalent to the auditory sequence. When the rate and duration of sounds varied, infants showed no preference for…

Explores prime numbers and their connections to related topics. (YDS)