Everyday, people face situations that call for adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing, and at least half of the time, these calculations are accomplished without the use of pen, paper, or calculators. Because figuring "in your head" is such an important life skill, it should have a regular role in classroom math teaching. This article…

The president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics argues that many mathematics textbooks feature unrealistic problems that do not teach problem solving or mathematical thinking. Realistic activities and games which will teach children to think are described, as are methods for teaching essential mathematics skills. (PP)

Presents suggestions for using math performance assessments in elementary classrooms to help students develop mathematical thinking skills. The article lists National Council of Teachers of Mathematics evaluation standards for mathematics assessment and describes a number of problem-solving activities for students. (SM)