While researchers and teachers are still sorting out which programs work best in which circumstances, some basic ideas about thinking can be used by teachers. Suggestions for encouraging thinking in the classroom are offered. (MT)

Article described a project in which students learned to cooperate and communicate as they built a "police car." (RK)

Graphing skills are growing in importance in our information society, presenting facts and concepts in newspapers, magazines, and on television. Graphs incorporated into teaching develop children's problem-solving skills. Ways to use graphs in the classroom are discussed, and examples are given. (MT)

Presents 21 ideas for helping children learn to do story problems in math. (SJL)

Teachers can help students become better problem solvers when they introduce several problem solving strategies. Activities for classroom use are offered. (DF)

Presents reasons for students' use of calculators in math class and techniques for encouraging their optimal use. Many educators suggest that calculators free students from concentration on computation and enable them to concentrate on problem solving. The article includes product information. (SM)

Twelve games are described which serve to reduce students' mathematics anxiety. Children solve problems by observing, visualizing, manipulating, finding patterns, and using logical sequence. Some games do not involve numbers, but all games require original thinking and encourage intuition. (JMK)

Presents a six-step problem-solving process which the author has used to present creative science investigations to fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. (Author/SJL)

Article investigated solutions for storing and releasing pets used for learning processes in the classroom. (RK)

Teachers often have difficulty responding to emotionally upset children in ways that help the students solve their problems. Examples of commonly used "put-downs and put-offs" and suggested techniques that teachers can use to lend emotional support are offered. (DF)

This unit is designed to strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills by allowing students to assume the roles of 1992 Winter Olympic Games planners who make preparations for the event. A reproducible data sheet serves as a resource. Hands-on activities and a critical television viewing activity are included. (IAH)

Suggests math activities for elementary students that are designed to strengthen problem-solving, computation, and calculator skills by revolving around the real-life situation of a picnic. The article suggests designing a class project to plan and carry out a class picnic, stressing the use of mathematics and calculators. (SM)

Presents literature-based elementary mathematics activities for the primary and intermediate grades. The activites are adapted from "Math and Literature, K-3," by the author of this article. (SM)

Presents suggestions for integrating mathematical problem solving into all aspects of an elementary school classroom. This includes taking data from such areas as attendance and lunch counts, numbers of seats needed for an open house, amount of money needed for field trips, and many more. The article offers tips for powerful problem solving. (SM)

Index cards, masking tape, pizza shells, golf tees, and empty soda bottles can be used to make manipulative objects to be used in children's mathematics games. Twenty-two games that provide practice in number drills and problem solving are described, along with instructions for making objects needed for the games. (PP)