Graphs represent complex information. They show relationships and help students see patterns and compare data. Students often do not appreciate the illuminating power of graphs, interpreting them literally rather than as symbolic representations (Leinhardt, Zaslavsky, and Stein 1990). Students often read graphs point by point instead of seeing…

The How Far Do You Think You Can Jump? activity (see EJ1174770) was completed in three different contexts: an after-school mathematics enrichment program at Woodland and Country Schools in Weston, Massachusetts; a small-group pull-out of second graders at Wren Elementary in Piedmont, South Carolina; and a family math night in Lafayette, Indiana.…

Often, quantitative and mathematical models are used to study complex dynamic systems--where collections of individual components interact to produce an emergent pattern of behavior. To interpret such models involves 'unpacking' the collective behaviors and interactions that underlie a given pattern. We investigate what representational supports…

Activities described for using zucchini to teach measurement include: guessing, graphing, and measuring length and weight; comparing sizes and shapes; and puzzles. (MP)

Activities are suggested for setting up a mathematics center for a week or more at a time. The activities relate to weight, counting, puzzles, length, graphing, and ordering. (MP)

This discussion of the mathematical potential of classroom events gives many examples of incidents that can be used for learning about topics such as one-to-one correspondence, counting, sets, ordering, time, fractions, money, shape, estimation, measuring, volume, area, number operations, and graphs. (MP)

Two teachers describe ideas they have used in teaching the concept of area. The use of physical materials is emphasized. (MM)

Described are activities using jar lids for sorting, classifying, and graphing; ordering; and measuring circumference and diameter. (MNS)

Ways of solving a problem on the connection between heat loss and the ratio of surface area to volume are described. Tables and graphs are included. (MNS)

This book is the third in a three-volume set prepared to assist elementary-school teachers in the improvement of mathematics instruction. Each volume begins with a scope-and-sequence chart which assigns topics to seven levels. In later sections at least one objective is defined for each topic, and a series of activities related to objectives is…

Presents 24 activities related to the theme of area to illustrate how algebra can empower students, not impede their progress. Activities use grid tools, manipulatives, computational tools, and paper-and-pencil tools to facilitate access, discourse, independence, and multiple representations. Well-chosen themes offer connections, motivation,…

This document consists of 51 articles (originally published in the "Arithmetic Teacher") which provide teachers with ideas for manipulative aids and activities. Guidelines used to select articles for this collection called for them to have a clear purpose and be related to a contemporary topic in the elementary school mathematics curriculum, to…

Prepared for use with thirteen modules (CE 025 468-480) in the Unified Technical Concepts postsecondary physics instructional package, this set of eight support modules is designed to strengthen mathematical and laboratory skills in areas such as units, graphing, logarithms, dimensional analysis, and basic trigonometry. Module titles include…

This resource book for algebra contains games, tricks, and quick activities for the classroom. Categories of activities include puzzlers, patterns, manipulatives, measurement, graphing, and a section that contains reproducible statement and value cards. Twenty one puzzle problems, four pattern activities, and 11 quick activities that engage…

To help students develop measurement skills using metric units, an activity on making a box is described, with a worksheet for students. A second article discusses graphing elementary functions with a real domain, while a third article describes computer-assisted practice in graphing sine and cosine functions. (MNS)