Reports a study that compared the effects of three methods of instruction, use of hands-on activities, hands-on activities in combination with computer-assisted instruction (CAI), or text-based activities, on student achievement and attitude. Results indicated students receiving a combination of hands-on activities with CAI scored significantly…

Describes an exploratory geometry course in which students were challenged to develop their own axiomatic system instead of using a textbook. They developed a Euclidean system and learned to write proofs as a natural consequence of building the system. (13 references) (MKR)

Proposes the use of humor and the personalization of word problems by inserting students' names in the problem statement as methods of gaining students' attention. Illustrates their use in a mixture problem and the Tower of Hanoi problem. (MDH)

Presents an activity to investigate the dimensions of the maximum rectangular area given a fixed perimeter using mathematical modeling and manipulative materials. Students collect and compare data, find patterns, graph data, write functions, and discuss the meaning of the related mathematical model. Provides three reproducible worksheets for the…

Discusses four aspects of mathematics instruction envisioned by the "Professional Teaching Standards": choosing worthwhile mathematical tasks; orchestrating classroom discourse; creating a constructive environment for learning; and analyzing students' understanding and the contribution of teacher practice to student learning. Presents…

This experimental study compared the use of Belcastro rods with the use of traditional methods in teaching addition and subtraction of whole numbers to five blind students. Results showed a significant difference favoring the use of Belcastro rods. (Contains 30 references.) (MKR)

Describes enrichment activities in which students read selections from science trade books and perform hands-on science activities related to the readings. Suggests four readings and related activities involving trees, robots, spiders, and birds. (Contains 13 references.) (MDH)

Describes a unit on magnetism that utilizes hands-on activities in which students make hypotheses for discrepant behavior, discover whether a magnet attracts one object through another, measure the strength of magnets, explore levitating paper clips, and play a game dependent on magnetic attraction. (MDH)

Whether boys and girls shared equally in performing behaviors required in hands-on activities in the performance-based science classroom was studied over the school year with 165 students in grades five through eight. Being actively involved predicted students' year-end science attitudes, and boys tended to handle the resources more often. (SLD)

Argues that basic components of discrete mathematics can be introduced to students through gradual elaboration of experiences with iconic spreadsheet-based simulations of concrete materials. Suggests that the study of homogeneous and heterogeneous patterns of manipulative spreadsheet templates allows for appreciation of the development of…

Discusses the categories of spatial thinking and explains methods for helping students develop spatial thinking skills, ask open-ended questions, and choose student-centered activities. Provides activity examples that involve spatial thinking for elementary grades. (YDS)

In this article, the authors would like to look at a range of solutions submitted by Year 4-5 teams in the 2003 "Naturally Mathematical Challenge" to a question that involves no more than the numbers 1 to 6 and possible arrangements of them. In the context of other competition questions and in their elaboration of mathematical process,…

My fellow teachers and I took a look at the use of tape and scissors in our 3-6 classroom. We had noticed children's over-reliance on these tools and wondered what would happen if we simply removed them. We decided to initiate a classroom research project in which the students worked for a while without scissors or tape. One goal of the project…

This resource book for algebra contains games, tricks, and quick activities for the classroom. Categories of activities include puzzlers, patterns, manipulatives, measurement, graphing, and a section that contains reproducible statement and value cards. Twenty one puzzle problems, four pattern activities, and 11 quick activities that engage…

The development of the place value system and its universal use demonstrate the elegance and efficiency of mathematics. This paper examines the concept of place value by: (1) presenting the historical development of the concept of place value in the Hindu-Arabic system; (2) considering the evolution of the number zero and its role in place value;…