The design of a "percent computer" that uses the concept of similar triangles is presented. The device can be easily made by elementary and secondary pupils out of graph paper and string. Sample student problems are included. (MP)

Discusses the use of graphing calculators by middle school students in an enrichment program for economically disadvantaged students and describes exercises to help students develop an understanding of variables and functions. (MKR)

Presents a collection of fall and Halloween activities for elementary students, including pumpkin poetry, batty bulletin boards (graphing), vegetable variety art, old time radio mysteries, paper doll Halloween safety, career dress-up day, imaginative Halloween writing, and matching animals with foods they eat. A student page offers a Dracula…

Presents four examples of multicultural literature which can be used to link stories and data-collecting activities to help students communicate in mathematics. Includes an appendix with additional topics for graphing exercises and a six-item annotated bibliography. (23 references) (MKR)

Described is a way that elemental mathematics can be applied to explain an astronomical phenomenon. The fact that the extreme of sunrise and sunset do not occur on the shortest or longest days of the year is analyzed using graphs and elementary calculus. (KR)

Presented is a set of mathematics problems associated with the characteristics, production, and consumption of chicken eggs. Student assignment sheets are included. (CW)

LogoWriter provides the means through which students of varying backgrounds and abilities can experience different types of learning. It involves using problem solving, graphing, critical thinking, and other creative strategies. The lessons provided in this book contain ideas that allow beginners to explore various areas of Logo while using…

Problem Solving in Mathematics (PSM), a program of problem-solving lessons for grades 4-9, is designed to be integrated into the regular mathematics curriculum. Although the content objectives of the lessons are similar to those of most textbooks, PSM emphasizes problem-solving skills and a variety of instructional strategies which foster the…

The report describes a career education project for grades K-12, developed for a rural school district in Maine, consisting of six elements: all subject matter tie-in, hands on experiences, resource persons, field trips, role playing, and career awareness. The chapter summarizing the project's results graphically demonstrates the various…

This environmental unit is one of a series designed for integration within an existing curriculum. The unit is self-contained and requires minimal teacher preparation. The philosophy of the series is based on an experience-oriented process that encourages self-paced independent student work. This unit is an introduction to sampling for young…

An activity involving the charting of the spread of a disease is described. Arrows are used to develop models of the progression of the disease. (MNS)

The activity provides practice plotting points in the Cartesian plane, develops inductive skills in pattern recognition, develops verbal and translation skills, and acquaints students with some properties of linear relations. Three worksheets are included. (MNS)

Middle-school students were asked to determine the dimensions of a hotel atrium so that guests could enjoy the maximum area of scenic view, given that 650 feet of brass railing could be used around each floor. Several solution approaches are described. (MKR)

This article, which is organized around a single, well-known algorithm for root extraction, presents a way of incorporating dynamical systems into the teaching of mathematics. Included are sample exercises using complex numbers and the computer where students have the opportunity to do some analysis on this algorithm. (KR)

Various ways in which computers can be used in the classroom depending on the subject, students' background, and individual teaching style are discussed. A way to evaluate professional software packages for use in the classroom is included. (KR)