Concludes that the significant difference found between responses made to displayed drawings and those made to models suggests that, independently of the complexity of stimulus, encoding will not influence responses if the very economical process of simple coding can be used. (Author/AM)

Describes an activity for children of any age to develop spatial sense and explore the effects of transforming, combining, subdividing, and changing geometric figures. Students analyze empty cereal boxes opened flat to determine the specific shape, how it opens and closes, to check maps or sketches against the actual geometry of the box, and write…

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)

Presents the Shape Search problem to develop student visualization. Focuses attention on the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Geometry Standard. (Author/NB)

This investigation is part of a combined research/curriculum development project in which children's learning is being examined in the context of developing and testing instructional units on 3-D geometry in grades 3, 4, and 5. There are two components to the article. First, the strategies and cognitive constructions that students utilize to…

Theory and research concerning the development of spatial concepts by young children are discussed. Results of Martin and Kidder are compared with those of Piaget. (SD)

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.…

Summarizes findings from research related to spatial abilities. Provided are suggestions for developing spatial abilities. Lists nine references. (YP)

Presents interesting activities to develop mental imagery and the ability to transform these images. Concludes that using images facilitates mathematical thought in numerical and geometric settings. (ASK)

Provided are activities for creating tangrams. Illustrates how to make tangrams and use them. (YP)

Discusses teaching geometric concepts, including various shapes, patterns, and areas based on the NCTM Standards. Presented are activities for the geometric concepts. (YP)

Describes two instructional activities to develop spatial imagery and the pupil's responses to these activities. Discusses how the classroom atmosphere contributed to the success of the activities. (YP)

Presents activities focusing on the use of visual perspectivity. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (MKR)

Presents techniques for developing spatial visualization while dealing with concepts of area, proportion, and symmetry. Provides the objectives, directions, extensions, answers, and worksheets for each of the four activities. Describes involving parents. (YP)

Sample materials from a primary training packet are included. The packets were developed as a part of a teacher development program aimed at improving elementary mathematics by giving teachers practical ideas. The sample student materials are drawn from the areas of geometry and oral mathematics. (PK)