Presented is a speech made by Shirley Hill, president, at the 58th Annual Meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics in which she presents the organization's recommendations for the direction of school mathematics in the 1980s (called "An Agenda for Action"). (Author/TG)

An organized series of steps designed to help students solve related rate problems often found in beginning calculus is presented. Two example problems are taken through five steps of solution. (MP)

An example of an unrealistic "real world" problem from the National Assessment of Educational Progress highlights a comparison of school and "folk" mathematics. The failures of typical problems taught in school and some suggested remedies are featured. (MP) Aspect of National Assessment (NAEP) dealt with in this document:…

How computer methods can be applied to an old problem and how computer efficiency affects the solution to that problem are illustrated. (MK)

Changes in the elementary and junior high school mathematics curriculum that have occurred in the last 20 years and that may occur in the future are discussed. (MK)

Suggests ways that teachers can use picture books, chapter books, poems, newspapers, and reference materials to fulfill the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics 1989 curriculum standards which state that problem solving, reasoning, communications, and connections should be part of every mathematics learning experience. Discusses number…

Presents facts about a super-jumbo jet and poses 11 questions on different subjects, including estimation and comparison, concerning the super-jumbo jet. Gives hints and solutions for the answers to those questions. (ASK)

Describes an examination of arithmetic problem posing designed to examine the behaviors of 63 prospective elementary school teachers. Findings indicate that the test effectively evaluates arithmetic problem posing. Most subjects were able to pose solvable, complex problems. Performance improved when the task contained specific numerical…

Describes a classroom activity designed to give students hands-on experience using technology and geometric visualization, as well as to explore fractal geometry in a cooperative classroom environment. Natural phenomena is the context of these activities. Enriches understanding of Euclidean geometry and infinite sequences. Lists materials,…

Presents student solutions to real-world problems that allow students to develop and defend their mathematical models of the situations. Elicits proofs and offers recommendations for the potential of real-world problems as contexts for proof. (KHR)

Examines teachers' judgments of the difficulties of algebra problems. Offers classroom-tested instructional approaches that build directly on students' mathematical intuitions and inventions. (KHR)

Describes an activity that provides many opportunities for students to make connections between mathematics and the high interest subject of basketball. (KHR)

Describes an activity, The Spaghetti Problem, that shows how statistics could be used to introduce many topics in the secondary mathematics curriculum. (KHR)

Discussed is the case for problem solving in mathematics classrooms. The characteristics of "good" questions are identified. The assessment of questions and questioning techniques is considered. (CW)

Compares two approaches to the teaching of mathematics, rote versus reasoning. Discusses the way to teach mathematics as reasoning in elementary classroom as stated in the NCTM Standards. (YP)