This article presents a reflection on a teaching experience involving the use of the Brügner tangram, an interesting but little-known manipulative material. It details an activity conducted as part of an undergraduate mathematics education course for prospective primary school teachers. The main objective of this paper is to present the…

Given the importance of algebra, middle school mathematics teachers have a responsibility to help students transition from understanding arithmetic to understanding the algebra that will be necessary for success in high school. One method of transition involves introducing algebraic concepts in concrete ways using meaningful contexts. The series…

This article provides an overview of vertex-edge graphs as an essential topic in the high school mathematics curriculum, including rationale, recommendations, and sample applications. A classroom-ready activity with full teacher notes is also included. (Contains 1 table and 9 figures.)

A mathematical derivation is given, developing the cardioid as an epicycloid locus. Curve-stitched designs are given for a family of epicycloids. (MP)

Presents a strategy for graphing conic sections on the polar plane without using a table of values by beginning with information gained from the graphs of circular functions. (MKR)

An exercise which relates particle scattering and the calculation of cross-sections to answer the following question--"Do you get wetter by walking or running through the rain?"--is described. The calculations used to answer the question are provided. (KR)

Topics discussed are: triangular numbers; three proofs of the surface area of a sphere; reverse notation; highest common factors; square roots from a graph; and clock geometry. (MP)

Curve stitching activities can be used to motivate calculus students. The problem described here involves showing that a given envelope of a curve is parabolic. (SD)

Equations or systems of equations can be associated with letters of the alphabet printed in the coordinate plane. Messages can be coded and decoded with a computer or by hand. (SD)

Teaching ideas are presented on the following topics: the number line, earthquakes and Venn diagrams, homework, and flow proofs in geometry. (MP)

Rational points in the plane were defined as points having both coordinated rational. Students solved several problems linking rational points with lines, circles, and other geometric figures. (SD)

Activities involving copying, enlarging, and translating stick figures can enhance students' understanding of graphs. (SD)

Directions are given for making a model of a three-dimensional coordinate graph. (DT)

Presents an activity in which students draw a picture, analyze each line and curve, and write the symbolic equations represented by the graph. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (MKR)

Presented are activities concerning the method of graphing the equation y=kx in the Cartesian and other coordinate systems. Students progress from the graph of a straight line to the investigation of conceptually related geometric loci in non-Cartesian coordinate systems. (MDH)