For middle and high school teachers of social studies and English, this book is filled with examples of instructional strategies that address students' readiness levels, interests, and learning preferences. It shows teachers how to formatively assess their students by addressing differentiated learning targets. Included are detailed examples of…

Describes one student's learning pathway as a sequence of several metastable conceptions of the atom starting from a planetary model. Displays the final cognitive element as an association of three parallel conceptions. Contains 26 references. (DDR)

A list of heuristics for elementary school children is provided. Two examples which are viewed to demonstrate the conscientious and creative use of problem-solving strategies by fourth graders are detailed. Suggestions for teachers on how to help pupils develop their problem-solving abilities are included. (MP)

Calculators are seen to shift the student focus in problem-solving situations from "how to do it" to "what to do," by keeping computation from standing in the way when pupils write or solve problems. (MP)

Incorporating problem solving as an integral part of mathematics programs in the classroom is discussed. The teacher's focus is seen as stretching pupil thinking. (MP)

Students' misconceptions in mathematics and how teaching may be directed to diagnose and eliminate these misconceptions are discussed. Four main types of misconceptions during problem-solving are noted. It is also noted that the basic mathematical processes of generalizing, representing, and explaining are used in selected student self-help…

This guide presents current scientific research on the process of human learning and stresses the importance of metacognition. Focus is placed on memory and learning with analogies to photography being employed to aid understanding. This guide also includes background information on human memory; a poster; instructions for the four short term…

It is noted that helping children learn how to solve problems has become a major goal for school mathematics. However, many children are not very successful at deciding what operation is appropriate for solving a given problem, and teachers often have difficulty describing or explaining how to identify the key features of a particular problem that…

Having pupils create their own mathematical-application word problems is promoted as a powerful teaching strategy. Teachers are encouraged to make creative pupil applications an integral component of day-to-day learning in mathematics. Research is cited that strongly favors the approach presented. (MP)

The mathematics of an educational game commonly known as "Frogs" is analyzed to see different mathematical concepts imbedded in it. (MP)

Ways are identified in which typical textbook word problems can be used to better fulfill their role in the development of mathematical concepts and a sound instructional program of mathematical problem solving. (MP)

Trap setting is a concept based on a psycholinguistic explanation of the acquisition of second language skills emphasizing cognitive and creative processes over the auditory, visual, and imitative. It proposes that opportunities for repeated attempts at solving new problems through constant testing and retesting of creative hypotheses bring the…

This report is concerned with the observation that many teenagers and adults are unable to apply arithmetic even when they know how to perform the operations. It is speculated that this is probably due to not having been taught when to use the fundamental operations. Examples of types of "real" problems which require the various…

Reviews current research in the application of the Neo-Piagetian theory of Pascual-Leone and shows how it provides the science teacher new implements. Hypothesizes that the role of the environment and creativity, if emphasized adequately, can help make science instruction more effective. (Contains 45 references.) (PR)

Introduces a study that identifies which learning styles are prevalent in biology majors. Uses the findings of the study to design a microbiology course. Presents activities that address the different learning styles. Uses self-assessment and portfolios for student evaluation. Includes recommendations for instructional improvement. (Contains 19…