"Improving Mathematics in the Early Years and Key Stage 1" reviews the best available evidence to offer five recommendations for developing the maths skills of 3-7-year olds. Recommendations include integrating maths into different activities throughout the day -- for example, at registration and snack time -- to familiarise children…

Presents a five lesson unit at the fifth grade level to teach the geometric concept of similarity using manipulative materials and multiple representations. The summary presents rationale for teaching and classroom management decisions. (MDH)

Describes and gives patterns for polyhedra other than the Platonic and Archimedean solids. The focus is on the deltahedra, but pyramids, prisms, and antiprisms are discussed first to help describe the deltahedra. (PK)

Uses manipulative materials to build and examine geometric models that simulate the self-similarity properties of fractals. Examples are discussed in two dimensions, three dimensions, and the fractal dimension. Discusses how models can be misleading. (Contains 10 references.) (MDH)

Includes patterns for and a brief discussion of the polyhedra: octahedron, tetrahedron, dodecahedron, cuboid, prism, and star. (PK)

Presents geometry activities for the K-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 levels that involve the students in cutting-and-rearranging figures and discussing, describing, and writing about the activities with language they already possess. Provides appropriate worksheets for the activities. (MDH)

Discusses assumptions implicit in any system of measurement. Describes a three-rectangle problem designed to help children explore additivity of areas and relationships between area and shape. Suggests ideas for action research. (FDR)

Explains standard drawing layouts and rules for creating orthographic and isometric views of a three-dimensional object. Normal and inclined surfaces are also discussed. Concludes with recommended classroom activities. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (FDR)

Presents an activity in which students use geometric figures, rep-tiles, to design a tile floor. Rep-tiles are geometric figures of which copies can fit together to form a larger similar figure. Includes reproducible student worksheet. (MKR)

Presents sample activities and tasks conducive to developing spatial sense. (12 references) (MKR)

Presents 5 activities for the K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-8 grade levels and for in the home in which students explore the concept of triangle through cooperative open-ended investigations. Provides related reproducible worksheets. (MDH)

Describes seven spatial abilities related to mathematics including eye-motor coordination, figure-ground perception, perceptual constancy, position-in-space perception, perception of spatial relationships, visual discrimination, and visual memory. Discusses the relationship of the spatial abilities to the study of geometry. Lists 19 references.…

Discusses the importance of using children's previous experiences with geometric figures to build foundations for developing geometric thinking. Describes how children's play with unit blocks can be structured to give them experiences with geometric concepts. Contains 12 references. (ASK)

Discusses the need for three-dimensional ideas in geometry. Describes a three-year sequence of projects that help develop students' spatial skills. (ASK)

Geometry is viewed as the most neglected area of the elementary school mathematics curriculum. Tangram activities provide numerous worthwhile mathematical experiences for children. A method of constructing tangrams through paper folding is followed by suggested spatial visualization, measurement, and additional activities. (MP)