This article introduces unit transformation graphs (UTGs) as a tool for diagramming the ways students use sequences of mental actions to solve mathematical tasks. We report findings from a study in which we identified patterns in the ways preservice elementary school teachers relied on working memory to coordinate mental actions when operating in…

This article investigates the interplay of time words with how children position hands on an analog clock. Using a mathematics discourse framework (Sfard, 2008), we analyzed how students interpreted precise (e.g., 2:30) and relative (e.g., half past 11) times, finding that particular words are dynamically interwoven with activity. Interviews with…

We present the evolving fraction conceptions of two elementary school children with mathematics learning disabilities (MLD). We use qualitative analyses to capture the mathematical knowledge and experiences of each child and show how teaching was used to support advancement of their fractional reasoning. Results illustrate two viable pathways of…

An understanding of fractions eludes many U.S. students, and research-based knowledge about fraction, such as the utility of linear representations, has not broadly influenced instruction. This randomized trial of lesson study supported by mathematical resources assigned 39 educator teams across the United States to locally managed lesson study…

Through their work on the Fractions Project, Steffe and Olive (2010) identified a progression of fraction schemes that describes students' development toward more and more sophisticated ways of operating with fractions. Although several quantitative studies have affirmed this progression, the question has remained open as to whether it is specific…

We report a novel survey that narrows the gap between information about teachers' knowledge of fraction arithmetic provided, on the one hand, by measures practical to administer at scale and, on the other, by close analysis of moment-to-moment cognition. In particular, the survey measured components that would support reasoning directly with…

Empirical evidence exists that enhancing students' language can promote the mathematics learning of multilingual students at risk, whereas other target groups (e.g., monolingual students, successful students, both with diverse academic language proficiency) have hardly been considered. This cluster-randomized controlled trial (N = 589)…

The results of this study indicate no significant differences on two achievement tests and one aptitude test between calculator and non groups. Nevertheless, the investigator notes several advantages of using the calculator. (MK)

Ninety-six fifth graders, stratified by achievement, were randomly assigned to training as individuals or pairs in one of three variety-of-training conditions for multiplication with fractions. Variation in training tasks facilitated transfer for students trained as individuals but inhibited transfer when trained as pairs. Training individuals in…

Examines strategies used by preschool children to subdivide items and focuses on how counting and sharing relate to one another. Indicates that children exhibited alternative strategies--suggesting use of a recipient as a mental cycle-marker and an adjacent recipient strategy--with pauses between allocations suggesting a re-presentation of lots…

Common mistakes pupils make when adding fractions are categorized and analyzed. (MP)

Nine children were tested to determine the appropriateness of Piaget's part-whole fraction concept interpretation for both the discrete case and the continuous cases of length and area. (MP)

Seven forms of a programmed booklet based on an eleven-level hierarchy for addition of fractions were developed. One hundred forty-two fourth graders were randomly assigned to treatments; achievement, transfer, retention, and time were compared. No treatment was consistently superior, but developing sequences from hierarchies validated by test…

Results of this study indicated calculator algorithms can serve as an effective alternative instructional strategy where computational skill is an instructional goal. (MP)