Elementary school students often misinterpret the equal sign (=) as an operational rather than a relational symbol. Such misunderstanding is problematic because solving equations with missing numbers may be important for the development of higher order mathematics skills, including solving word problems. Research indicates equal-sign instruction…

Research indicates that there is a reciprocal relationship between challenging behavior and poor academic performance and that this relationship will have a lifelong negative impact on individuals caught in this detrimental cycle. New interventions continue to be reported in the literature describing more effective ways to implement academic…

This study aimed to investigate the interplay between mathematical word problem skills and reading comprehension. The participants were 225 children aged 9-10 (Grade 4). The children's text comprehension and mathematical word problem-solving performance was tested. Technical reading skills were investigated in order to categorise participants as…

This study assessed the effects of preventative tutoring on the math problem solving of third-grade students with math and reading difficulties. Students (n = 35) were assigned randomly to continue in their general education math program or to receive secondary preventative tutoring 3 times per week, 30 min per session, for 12 weeks.…

Presented are problem solving tips for teachers related to mathematical word problems for elementary school students. (RH)

Reprints three items that appeared in the media that were developed into mathematical problems. Items include a commentary called Junk the Penny, a sale advertisement for a department store, and a sports column with statistics. Eighteen questions are provided along with answers. A graphing calculator is suggested for some problems. (PVD)

Presents students' various solutions to a word problem. (KHR)

Describes different solution strategies used by students for a problem on the cost of talking on the phone. (YDS)

Describes student solutions to a "Food for Thought" problem using different strategies. (YDS)

Poses the Fractionberry Pie problem to teach students fractions. (Author/NB)

Presents solutions to the Have a Heart problem that appeared in the February 2002 issue of this journal. (Author/NB)

Presents the March Mathness problem which allows students to mathematically analyze familiar situations. Uses sports as the analogy. (Author/NB)

Reports observations of the use of mental aerobics with 48 adults whose median age was 70. Provides examples of the group puzzles and logic, math, and word problems used to enhance cognitive functioning and creative thinking. (SK)

Analyzed the role of explanations students provide themselves (self-explanation) in solving word problems. Results from six female ninth graders show how students' categorical self-explanations mediate their transfer from the sequential representation of the problem to the tabular one. (SLD)

Studied patterns of self-explanation that distinguish between good and poor problem solvers. Results with 32 ninth graders identify self-explanation patterns that show that poor problem solvers are more likely to produce clarifications after inferences and good problem solvers are more likely to produce justifications after regulations. (SLD)