Based on the view that making social concepts and feelings concrete would help children in primary grades to take turns, cooperate, and solve their problems respectfully, this curriculum uses a story about the Rainbow Kids, an imaginary community of children, to introduce children to social concepts and conflict resolution skills. The Rainbow Kids…

This publication features articles that illustrate how several Northwest teachers are using problem solving to achieve rigorous and imaginative learning in their classrooms. Articles include: (1) "Open-Ended Problem Solving: Weaving a Web of Ideas" (Denise Jarrett); (2) "Teenager or Tyke, Students Learn Best by Tackling Challenging Math" (Suzie…

Noting that elementary school students can learn to resolve basic everyday conflicts without resorting to verbal or physical aggression, this empathy-based program provides a foundation for resolving problems without the intervention of mediators or adults and for providing written documentation of the solution for parents, administrators, and…

The focus is on measurement and the concepts of length, area, and volume. Experiences with estimating and measuring are provided through worksheets on centimeters, areas of rectangular shape, block problems, and a garden problem. (MNS)

Presented are four activities which integrate mathematics and science activities involving problem-solving skills. Topics of activities include derivation of pi (3.14), determining the volume of a bell jar, estimation skills, supplementary exercises using geometric and metric system tables, general laboratory exercises, and supplemental problems.…

Provides rationale for and examples of a game (Mastermind) which fosters the development of a systematic approach to problem solving. Includes a brief summary of an experiment with 50 high school students indicating value of the game. (JN)

Real-world problems often do not mesh well with mandated curricula and texts. Designing challenges to develop the understandings, skills, and beliefs necessary for tackling real-life problems involves a commitment to authentic learning experiences of increasing sophistication. The experiential learning cycle, by combining academic, scenario, and…

Contains a series of short, experientially oriented articles on circle time entitled "You Can Make Circle Time Developmentally Appropriate"; "Using Circle Time as a Hub of Curriculum"; "Working It Out Together in Circle Time"; and "Starting with Stories: Building a Sense of Community." (SD)

Presented is a mean-value theorem that generalizes the Taylor-Lagrange formula. Discussed is the asymptotic behavior of the remainder term of the formula. Several numerical schemes are derived to approximate the solution to initial-valued first order differential equations. (KR)

Discussed are various models proposed for the Moebius strip. Included are a discussion of a smooth flat model and two smooth flat algebraic models, some results concerning the shortest Moebius strip, the Moebius strip of least elastic energy, and some observations on real-world Moebius strips. (KR)

Involves upper elementary students in a problem-solving activity that raises questions about who should have the right to a lawyer in a criminal case. Students discuss the importance of the right to due process in a criminal proceeding as well as in other situations. Defines due process and includes a handout on protections in the Bill of Rights.…

To develop students' abilities to reason with mathematics and apply mathematics to problem solving are abetted by building on their personal experiences, integrating the curricula, and designing learning activities that require students to write or speak about mathematics. Using an integrated approach is discussed and examples are included. (MNS)

Tessellations provide an opportunity to incorporate a variety of geometric topics in one unit, allowing students to review shapes and focus on relationships among them. Three activities are described, with illustrations. (MNS)

Presents five plans to assist students in information seeking on the Internet and provides examples of activities. Highlights include practicing search skills, learning about a topic of inquiry and/or question answering, reviewing multiple perspectives on an issue, solving authentic problems, and publishing synthesized and/or critiqued information…

Describes the use of the children's book, "The Wolf's Chicken Stew," to present open-ended tasks designed to involve children in problem solving: estimating; conducting probability experiments; and collecting, sorting, classifying, displaying, and interpreting data. (MKR)