Presents suggestions for helping elementary teachers learn students' names and helping students feel comfortable in the first week of school while studying mathematics skills related to graphing and data. The activities involve graphing students' names and reading a children's book then creating mathematics activities out of the lead character's…

Graphing activities shouldn't end with data collection; they can be vehicles for communicating information, tools for stimulating discussion and debate, and techniques for engaging students in real mathematical thinking. Graphing activities for primary and intermediate students are suggested. (IAH)

Two articles focus on helping primary level students grow. One article on the school-home connection describes interactive math homework assignments that involve parents; the other discusses how teachers can help fearful children adjust to school, noting what children fear and offering seven steps to help overly fearful children. (SM)