Mystery and Adventure travel the same path. Within every mystery is an adventure, be it a struggle for survival, network of suspense, or matching of wits. A mystery is a secret jigsaw puzzle. Its popularity lies in the author's skillful engagement of the reader in putting together the pieces by using such elements as clues, foreshadowing, and…

This note discusses a possible method for teaching an example of problem solving to intermediate grade students. Under the guidance of the instructor, students may see the links between the 'guess' method and the arithmetic operation 'strings'. This may help enhance their logical thinking ability as well as arithmetic operation skills. For…

The "Think It Through" videodisc and computer program is designed to develop independent thinking skills in intermediate-age hearing impaired students. The program combines a videodisc (visual storage medium) and a microcomputer to present interactive problem solving tasks. (CL)

Develops a division algorithm in terms of familiar manipulations of concrete objects and presents it with a series of questions for diagnosis of students' understanding of the algorithm in terms of the concrete model utilized. Also offers general guidelines for using concrete illustrations to explain algorithms and other mathematical principles.…

Intermediate and junior high school students became very involved with this learning activity which involved detective work. Working in groups, students had to solve a riddle based on a sequence of clues. The answer to each set of clues was either a person, an event, or a place. (RM)

This article discusses an audiovisual method of teaching basic economic decision making and personal money management to children in the intermediate grades (4-6). (CJ)

This article describes a proposed model of self-directed critical thinking that comprises two interrelated and equal components: one cognitive and the other motivational. The model stresses the importance in critical thinking of the child's present store of general information. Examples illustrate the operation of the model. (IAH)

Gifted intermediate-level students in Greenville, South Carolina, held a Future Fair in which students completed projects and developed critical and creative thinking skills as they investigated real problems. Projects such as models, inventions, photo essays, and creative writing focused on future schools, art, fashions, space travel, and other…

Following the treatment the experimental Ss showed a significant increase in response time and made significantly fewer errors compared to a similar control group. Treatment effects were still evident one month after treatment terminated. (DB)

Operation Adventure is a course in leadership skills for gifted/talented sixth-graders in central Wisconsin. The enrichment program uses officers and senior cadets of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps as instructors and focuses on problem-solving ability and courage. (JDD)

Using data from a longitudinal case study, the paper explores how an experienced teacher changed schools and grappled with mainstreaming, writing instruction, and the extended learning program. The story illustrates how, even for experienced teachers, the development of expertise is very uneven and a product of complex person-place interaction.…

Mathematics portfolios need not be limited to problem-solving efforts. When California algebra teacher asked students what portfolio contents would show their effort and learning, they suggested daily notes, personal budget and lottery projects, scale drawing, their best and worst tests, weekly problems, daily class notes, and homework. Students…

The COMET summer residential program at Purdue University (Indiana) offers gifted and talented youth in grades 4-6 a week of intensive study in a single content area. Courses stress specific problem-solving skills and development of a rich knowledge base. Extensive program evaluation by students, teachers, counselors, and parents was highly…

Describes the PACKETS Program for Middle School Mathematics, a research-based performance-assessment program being developed by the Educational Testing Service. The activities, based on real-life problems whose solutions must address a particular client's needs, are designed to promote student learning while allowing the teacher to document this…

Presents a sample lesson plan (suitable for grades 6-10) and examples of other problems useful in teaching data processing skills. The plan (focusing on planning investigations, data collection, and data processing) is based on the Data Processing Operation Guide, a 10-step model of intellectual operations that can be used in problem solving. (JN)