Describes a study of ninth-grade students that evaluated the ability of the Word Problem Solving Tutor, a cognitive tutoring system, to improve the abstract-reasoning component of word-problem solving. Compares combinations of traditional instruction, computer-assisted instruction, and the tutoring program and discusses implications for math…

This article describes a way to provide systematic connections between mathematics and science for students with disabilities through hands-on lessons, word problems, and opportunities for problem-solving. Sample units are presented that integrate science and mathematics at the K-8 level and explore interrelationships among multiplication and…

A within-subjects design was used to compare two instructional methods--explicit timing and interspersing--with 187 second-grade students. Students completed two mathematics word problem assignments under differing conditions. In the explicit timing condition, students were told they would be timed while working long mathematics word problems. In…

This article presents essential principles for mathematics instruction for students with disabilities and those who are at risk for school failure. These students have great difficulty in applying algorithmic knowledge to solve problems and even greater difficulty with abstract problem solving associated with higher level mathematics. A procedural…

This collection of 11 applied algebra curriculum modules can be used independently as supplemental modules for an existing algebra curriculum. They represent diverse curriculum styles that should stimulate the teacher's creativity to adapt them to other algebra concepts. The selected topics have been determined to be those most needed by students…

The information in this supplementary notebook is intended to provide teachers with additional materials, ideas and suggestions, and activities to help in implementing the first 21 units of the Applied Mathematics modules that help develop and refine job-related mathematics skills. An introduction lists the 36 units of the complete Applied…

This publication is a compilation of abstracts and critical comments for 12 published investigations in mathematics education. Information for each study includes: purpose; rationale; research design and procedures; findings; and interpretations. For each study abstractor's comments also provide a brief critique. Topics include: planning problem…

Mathematical word problems are notoriously difficult to solve for students at all grade levels. Performance deficiencies have been attributed to students lacking abstract logico-mathematical knowledge or to insufficiently developed language comprehension skills. At least four general sources of difficulty can be distinguished in mathematical word…

As part of a 3-year study of arithmetic problem-solving skills in young children, pretests were administered to 180 middle class first grade students. Following each of three instructional units, another achievement test was administered. The three first grade units corresponded to the Developing Mathematical Processes curriculum and involved…

Deciding how to approach a word problem for solution is a critical stage of problem solving, and is the stage which frequently presents considerable difficulty for novices. Do novices use the same information that experts do in deciding that two problems would be solved similarly? This set of four studies indicates that novices rely more on…

This study sought to determine the effectiveness of self-instructional strategy training on the addition and subtraction problem-solving skills of four upper elementary-level learning-disabled students, and to evaluate maintenance and generalization of the trained skills. Each subject received individual criterion-based training in…

Reports on research designed to systematically examine how the use of personalized word problems as practice examples would affect learning and attitudes. A computer program was used to generate the problems. It was concluded that presenting problems in familiar contexts made materials more interesting and understandable for students. (PK)

One of the major goals in deaf education is to teach deaf and hard of hearing students the tools and strategies to solve mathematical word problems. A mathematical word problem curriculum was designed and implemented based on telling, reading and writing number tales in American Sign Language (ASL) and English. The learning experiences helped…

Summarizes 14 mathematics word-problem-solving intervention studies for elementary and secondary students with disabilities or who were at-risk for math failure. Interventions included representational techniques (diagramming), strategy-training procedures (cognitive and metacognitive), task variations (sequencing and word-problem context), and…

Presents six strategies to develop appropriate mathematical applications for middle school children: (1) change the name; (2) make problems appealing; (3) encourage group work; (4) let students generate story problems; (5) encourage a positive attitude; and (6) keep students motivated. Illustrates strategies with three examples involving…