A yearlong experimental study showed positive effects of a professional development project that involved 19 urban elementary schools, 180 teachers, and 3735 students from one of the lowest performing school districts in California. Algebraic reasoning as generalized arithmetic and the study of relations was used as the centerpiece for work with…

The name of Zoltan P. Dienes (1916- ) stands with those of Jean Piaget, Jerome Bruner, Edward Begle, and Robert Davis as a legendary figure whose work left a lasting impression on the field of mathematics education. Dienes' name is synonymous with the multibase blocks that he invented for the teaching of place value. Among numerous other things,…

The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) looked at elementary school math curricula designed to promote math knowledge and skills among elementary school students (average ages 5 to 10 years). Curricula included in this review are replicable, materials-based instructional programs that cover one or more of the following content areas: numbers,…

The "Connected Mathematics Project" ("CMP)" is a problem-centered mathematics curriculum designed for all students in grades 6-8. Each grade level of the curriculum is a full-year program and covers numbers, algebra, geometry/measurement, probability, and statistics. The program seeks to make connections within mathematics,…

Mathematics can be used to analyze musical rhythms, to study the sound waves that produce musical notes, to explain why instruments are tuned, and to compose music. This book explores the relationship between mathematics and music through proportions, patterns, Fibonacci numbers or the Golden Ratio, geometric transformations, trigonometric…

This paper introduces a multi-dimensional, multi-level framework for analyzing students' social interaction and individual action during collaborative problem solving. Crossing the dimensions of problem knowledge distribution and degree of cooperation yields six possible social interactions: piecemeal guessing, joint construction, lecture,…

This paper describes an intervention in two Algebra II classes in which the graphing calculator was incorporated into the curriculum as often as possible. The targeted population consisted of high school students in a growing middle to upper class community located in a suburb of a large city. The problem of a lack of understanding of the…

This book contains a classroom-tested approach to the teaching of problem solving to all students in Grades 4-6, regardless of ability. Information on problem solving in general is provided, then mathematical problems on logic, whole numbers, number theory, fractions, decimals, geometry, ratio, proportion, percent, probability, sets, and…

This study ascertained the relative effectiveness of writing assignments in mathematics compared to traditional assignments on the performance of students (N=83) in an elementary, college algebra course. Students were placed into experimental and control groups based on the nature of assignments given. Control subjects were given 15 assignments…

A set of computer-oriented, supplemental activities is offered which can be used with a course in advanced algebra and trigonometry. The activities involve use of the BASIC programming language; it is assumed that the teacher is familiar with programming in BASIC. Students will learn some BASIC; however, the intent is not to develop proficient…

Students were given the problem: Given a deck of cards in a certain order, after how many shuffles will it return to its original order? They worked with small decks of cards to develop a general formula, but were unhappy with the results. (SD)

A series of problems involving number theory, the law of cosines, and geometric interpretations of solutions to equations is discussed. (SD)

Games and puzzles in which a checkerboard can be used to develop mathematical concepts are described. (SD)

Four problems in which elementary mathematics can be used in constructing models are described. (SD)

A series of puzzle-type activities combining arithmetic reasoning and geometric figures is described and illustrated. (SD)