This article will describe a writing assignment designed for use in a liberal arts college whose mission stresses effective written communication both within and across disciplines. In this assignment, students write three separate solutions to the same mathematics problem: one for a mathematical peer, a second for a contemporary that does not…

Masters of worksheets are given that are designed to help students develop the problem-solving skills of analyzing information, identifying the question, and selecting pertinent facts. (MK)

Motivational classroom materials that provide direct instruction on problem-solving skills are given. The activity highlights and provides opportunities for practice with two problem-solving skills, make a drawing and work backward. (MNS)

Problems involving record-setting events are presented, with comments on both the mathematics skills and the reading skills that are involved with each. (MNS)

Problems and activities are presented for which "I can't do it" or "It can't be done" are the correct responses. Including problems of this type in the curriculum adds a new dimension to students' learning and helps to develop better problem solvers. (Author/MK)

Utilizes the problem of determining the number of different ice cream cones and cups that can be made from a choice of 31 flavors to investigate the concepts of combinations and permutations. Provides a set of six related problems with their answers. (MDH)

In this simulation, secondary students explore the potentials for cooperation and conflict that have existed in relation to control of the seas. Through playing roles of decision makers of various nations, students learn about issues and positions involved in exploiting the wealth of th sea, including minerals, oil, and fish. (RM)

These activities involve students in interpreting story problems, drawing their own conclusions, and making guesses. Four worksheets, for levels 1-8, are included, along with teaching suggestions. (MNS)

Describes a classroom activity designed to give students hands-on experience using technology and geometric visualization, as well as to explore fractal geometry in a cooperative classroom environment. Natural phenomena is the context of these activities. Enriches understanding of Euclidean geometry and infinite sequences. Lists materials,…

In this lesson, junior high students consider two instances of exponential population growth--one at the local community level and one at the world level--as a way of illuminating some of the problems posed by growth and the limits that may curtail it. (RM)

This section presents four worksheets for grades 1-8 on problem-solving activities with a "things to do this summer theme." Problems relate to a county fair, a library summer reading program, camp, and summer jobs. (MNS)

This simulation helps students in grades four to eight see their planet as one environment with limited resources shared by all. Students learn that the earth is a large system comprised of small systems, that systems are interdependent and often have irreplaceable parts, and that resources are not equally divided among countries. (RM)

The transformation assigning to every point its inverse with respect to a circle with given radius and center is called an inversion. Discusses inversion with respect to points, circles, angles, distances, space, and the parallel postulate. Exercises related to these topics are included. (MDH)

This section includes eight problems to which the journal invites readers to respond. Problem topics include angles in alternate segments, pentominoes, a new triangle of numbers, cricket scores, symmetrical pentagons, inequalities, a pythagorean dissection, and magic squares. (MDH)

Provides a perspective of the literature reviewed by Calfee and Drum by discussing the reasons why and the conditions under which researchers and practitioners must better inform each other about their respective work. (Author)