Describes teaching methods employed in German elementary school classrooms that develop discovery, creativity, and a spirit of cooperation in students learning mathematics. Methods included free choice of learning activities by students and small group cooperative activities. Students' motivation, self-confidence, social and communications skills,…

Maintains that the American West has fascinated artists for the last 150 years. Presents four lesson plans based on paintings from the Phoenix (Arizona) Art Museum. Includes student objectives, step-by-step instructional procedures, and four full-page color prints of the paintings. (CFR)

Asserts that many who work in elementary education consider social studies to be the core of the curriculum. Focuses on the use of social studies as a vehicle for curricular and instructional change, particularly in ways that promote caring and inclusion. (CFR)

Maintains that music students who understand the historical and cultural contexts of music will present more enlightened and expressive performances. Presents recommended strategies designed to foster cultural understanding among music students. Includes a list of selected resources. (CFR)

Maintains that law-related education provides the four basic components of social studies: (1) knowledge; (2) skills; (3) values; and (4) participation. Presents five teaching activities about personal injury law. Provides hypothetical situations and discusses how they probably would be decided in the courts. (CFR)

Describes the design and fabrication of a classroom hologram and activities utilizing the hologram to teach the concepts of real and virtual images to high school and introductory college students. Contrasts this method with three other approaches to teach about images. (MDH)

Examines the use of spreadsheets for solving equations by the method of iterations. The combination of the spreadsheets and graphical representation is shown to be appropriate both for teaching and learning the method of iterations and for investigating properties of equations. (Author)

Presents the concept of "Fuzzy Sets" and gives some ideas for its potential interest in mathematics education. Defines what a Fuzzy Set is, describes why we need to teach fuzziness, gives some examples of fuzzy questions, and offers some examples of activities related to fuzzy sets. (MDH)

Describes examples of student-centered activities for exploring mathematical induction using BASIC programs or spreadsheets. Discusses the advantages of using this medium to teach the concept and provides computer programs for the activities. (MDH)

The development of visual perception skills in children with partial vision as well as developmental disabilities is considered. A model of visual learning is offered which incorporates the role of visual experience, movement, and visual learning. Specific teaching suggestions for developing visual attention and visual search skills are offered.…

Presents an instructional approach that utilizes paper-folding activities to help students understand the concept of fractions. Utilizes an area model of multiplication to extend the concept of multiplication of whole numbers to multiplication of fractions. (MDH)

Presented is an activity which shows how mathematics is used in real life and helps to establish a need for mathematics in students' futures. Adapted from a scavenger-hunt idea, this activity helps students to discover that almost every career makes use of mathematics. (KR)

Four techniques used to incorporate writing and active learning into mathematics classrooms are described. They include summary sheets, short focused writing, medium length writing, and student presentations. Examples of how each technique can be used are included. (KR)

Identifies metaphor as a powerful tool when utilized to facilitate concept formation pertaining to global ecological systems and universal concerns. Provides an illustration of how an instructional metaphor, spaceship earth, can be used in the classroom to help students create new meanings for abstract and complex ideas. (MCO)

Explores three questions related to the kindergarten mathematics curriculum: (1) How much do young students' limited abilities to process information hamper performance on worksheet tasks? (2) How is mathematics currently taught in kindergarten? and (3) What materials and activities are appropriate for mathematics learning in kindergarten? (MDH)