The study investigated the effects of structured and unstructured cooperating groups on students' behaviors, discourse and learning in junior high school. One hundred and sixty-four grade 9 students participated in the study. The students were videotaped as they worked in three to four person, mixed-gender and ability groups on a science-based…

The authors describe a hands-on program that they developed after their attendance at the NCTM Algebra Academy. The article explains how to use literature to capture youngsters' attention and engage them in interactive mathematical activities.

Much has been written on the subject of linking math and literature. However, the focus is usually on the incorporation of reading into a math class--how a teacher might use picture books, problems, or stories, in general, to bring enthusiasm and engagement into the math classroom. In this article, the authors propose that teachers think about…

This document discusses the teaching of problem solving in environmental education. From an interdisciplinary viewpoint, this study describes some strategies for teaching that can favor the practice of educational activities oriented toward solving the concrete problems of the surrounding environment. The volume is divided into seven chapters. The…

Experimental design of packaging materials to withstand the impact of gravity by 5th grade students. (EJS)

An investigative activity dealing with where to pitch a tent at a campsite is described. (MNS)

Students read a fact situation, identify the constitutional issue, find and analyze the portion of the Constitution that treats the issue, and consider the analysis to be an hypothesis that will be supported or will fail when examined in light of reference material, such as Supreme Court case summaries. (RM)

Presents many problems involving scheduling after-school activities and tournaments that bring the topic of Euler paths to a level of understanding for elementary students. (MKR)

Provides information on the problems with the Hubble Space Telescope and how the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is trying to fix it. Includes a student quiz and possible student outcomes. (JOW)

Describes how to use the "Nate the Great" book series by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat to help elementary school students learn the Big6 problem-solving process. As the plot develops, teachers can help students draw parallels between the actions of the young detective and the six steps of the process. (LRW)

In a 7-week project, teams of elementary students designed and made a coal cart. The project demonstrated that practical design and technology problems are best broken into manageable subtasks. Doing so enhances understanding of conceptual and procedural knowledge. It also showed how children can be moved toward more expert levels of performance.…

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (2000) recommends that students at all grade levels be provided with instructional programs that enable them to "create and use representations to organize, record, and communicate mathematical ideas; select, apply, and translate among mathematical representations to solve problems; and use…

The aim of this study is to explore student multiple representation skills and creativity in solving mathematical problems when supported by a multimedia whiteboard system. The subjects were 6th grade primary school students that were tested and selected as excellent students in mathematics. Twenty-one numerical and geometry problems were given to…