Several issues concerning mathematics curriculum for the primary grades are discussed. Five considerations necessary for building a balanced curriculum are defined and discussed: broadening content, providing variety in learning and thinking strategies, balancing emphasis on skills, concepts and applications, discretion in use of manipulative…

Activities involving graphing are described. Beginning with arranging objects in linear arrays, the authors outline a sequence of activities leading up to graphing of grouped data, and circular graphs. (SD)

ALTHOUGH BLOCKS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT TYPE OF EQUIPMENT IN A SCHOOLROOM FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, INADEQUATE EMPHASIS HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE EDUCATIVE VALUES THEY PROVIDE. THEY ARE ADAPTABLE MATERIALS WHICH PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH ACCORDING TO INDIVIDUAL RATES OF DEVELOPMENT. THEIR USE ENCOURAGES THE DEVELOPMENT OF COOPERATION, RESPONSIBILITY…

The purpose of this study was to determine if college students could benefit from the use of visual and manipulative aids while studying a mathematical topic. A sample of 33 freshmen were pretested for mathematical ability, divided into ability levels by means of ACT composite scores, and randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups for a…

The research reported dealt with the ability of first, second, and third grade students to understand the topological concepts of solids, sheets, lines, networks, and of order and betweenness. The concepts were presented through the use of manipulative materials. The instruction was conducted by the regular teachers for a period of three weeks…

This is a set of 8 x 11-inch cards containing ideas for manipulative materials, generally inexpensive household items, for use in the elementary classroom. The cards are tab-indexed into seven categories: sets (which is subdivided into set recognition and set operations), number-numerals, geometry, measurement, probability, number theory, and…

Planned experiences for exploration of materials are suggested for introducing geometric concepts. Examples discussed include motion, symmetry, and shape. (MP)

Activities are presented that permit students to gain firsthand experiences with ideas about two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes and volume that textbook exercises rarely provide. (MP)

Some practical, hands-on ways in which ideas about geodesic domes can be used in secondary school mathematics are described. Instructions for constructing a one-frequency geodesic sphere are given. (MP)

Three instructional settings were compared to determine which was most effective: no aids, two-dimensional aids, or three-dimensional aids. Results favored the three-dimensional aids. (MP)

The use of two different colored beans or chips to represent positive and negative charges is discussed as a method of demonstrating operations with integers. (MP)

Angle measurement activities utilizing tinker-toys, geoboards, and paper-and-pencil constructions are given which could be used with children prior to the development of the degree concept. (MN)

An instructional sequence in which number lines and beads are used to illustrate addition and subtraction of directed numbers is described. (SD)

The construction of geodesic domes of four different sizes is explained. (JT)

The author illustrates a method for the construction of the eight deltahedra, using cardboard and rubber bands. (MN)