Describes how Suzuki's methods of teaching young pupils to play the violin can be combined with Polya's ideas on problem solving to teach mathematics to elementary school pupils. Six references are listed. (YP)

Illustrates some learning encounters for facilitating first graders' understanding of geometry. Describes some of children's approaches using Cuisenaire rods and teacher's intervening. Presents six problems involving various combinations of Cuisenaire rods and cubes. (YP)

How children give meaning to problems solved by multiplying or dividing is considered. After showing two cases of children's understanding of multiplication problems, six recommendations for classroom practice are presented. (YP)

Compares the development of two students' understanding of addition and subtraction. One student's understanding is based on memorized rules and the other's on understanding the concept of place value. Discusses the effects of different goals for instruction and the importance of understanding place value. (MDH)

Discusses the two overgeneralizations "multiplications makes bigger" and "division makes smaller" in the context of solving word problems involving rational numbers less than one. Presents activities to help students make sense of multiplication and division in these situations. (MDH)

Part I reviews the mathematical definition of function, and then presents some practical uses of functions in such areas as substitution in a formula, equation solving, and curve fitting. Part II gives examples of functions that can be used to describe some real life situations. (RP)

Explains a discovery activity using the possible positions of the faces of a cube when represented in two dimensions. Suggests rules which would determine which of the edges would connect if the drawing were folded to form the cube. (RS)

Evidence is presented that many primary-age children are good at solving word problems. The data comes from three years of observation of about 100 pupils from grades one through three. It is noted that instances of total failure were relatively rare. The individual interview method is recommended to teachers. (MP)

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)

Presented are five scenarios of how division might be introduced to a class of third graders using experiences with the concept, process, and symbolism of division rather than algorithms. Instruction that makes problem solving the emphasis of students' learning is described. (KR)