The sixteen chapters of this book provide the core material for the Elements of Mathematics Program, a secondary sequence developed for highly motivated students with strong verbal abilities. The sequence is based on a functional-relational approach to mathematics teaching, and emphasizes teaching by analysis of real-life situations. This text is…

An analysis is presented of pupil responses to several items on the second National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) mathematics survey which focused on the concepts and models of the fundamental operations. (MP) Aspect of National Assessment (NAEP) dealt with in this document: Results (Interpretation).

Ways are presented to help students develop precomputational fraction concepts and skills using a circular-region or "pie" model. (MK)

Presents two case studies of learners attempting to understand the concept of normal distribution, specifically why physical phenomena such as height fall into normal distributions. Draws conclusions about a Connected Mathematics learning environment that enables confrontation with epistemological anxiety and the features of modeling languages…

Discusses the use of mathematical modeling. Describes types, examples, and importance of mathematical models. (YP)

Two experiments examined fifth-grade students' reasoning about data modeling: one involved development of hypermedia documents, the other, use of a simple randomization distribution to test students' hypotheses. Found that data construction and analysis provide an opportunity to involve students in the important enterprise of mathematical…

Describes a hands-on, guided-learning activity that forges vertical connections among grade levels and relies on physical models in the investigation of algebraic concepts. This lesson helps students discover that a given value can have multiple representations. Includes a sample student activity log. (AIM)

Many mathematics departments usually teach a variety of courses for students from different science departments and even from different faculties. These "service" courses are usually taught in the same way as the courses for mathematics major students. However, in science, because of the need to better analyse and interpret experimental…

Mathematics and art are often considered opposites in the traditional curriculum. In this project with fourth graders, mathematics and art provided a springboard for using fractions, in particular, the multiplication of fractions, using Chinese kites. The project began with a discussion of, "What does an artist really do in a mathematics…

A model for multiplication is described and used to discuss the properties of division. (SD)

In this report, the theoretical background and procedures for a study of concept learning are discussed. Several definitions of the term "concept" are analyzed, and the relations among concepts, chains of concepts, and hierarchies of concepts are explored. Conceptual learning is discussed from several points of view, and axiom systems for the…

In this volume, the results of a study of concept learning are presented. (The background for the study, and descriptions of the treatments--rote reception, rote discovery, conceptual reception, and conceptual discovery--are provided in Part 1.) Several hypotheses concerning the effectiveness of these treatments in learning concepts and on the…

Described are various common misconceptions about the nature of mathematics and suggests that courses or activities based on model building might help change these. Two examples are offered. (SD)

The mathematics of an educational game commonly known as "Frogs" is analyzed to see different mathematical concepts imbedded in it. (MP)

The use of saltine crackers to illustrate whole numbers, decimal fractions, common fractions, percents, money, and other mathematical concepts is reviewed. (MP)