Asserts that no attitude is more detrimental to democratic values than blind allegiance to numerical data. Maintains that children must challenge and debate numerical data. Includes examples of data collection and activities designed to encourage students to be skeptical about numerical information. (CFR)

Discusses the concept of social mathematics in which numerical information is connected to the people and issues of social studies. Maintains elementary students can learn that data represent information from the real world. Includes class activities using historical timelines, data collection, and database computer programs. (CFR)

Asserts that social mathematics, taught with a multicultural focus, provides opportunities to help children learn about cultural pluralism. Includes three class activities that require students to analyze and interpret numerical data about immigration and the ethnic composition of the United States. (CFR)

Maintains that achieving the social studies goal of helping children make good decisions about their world requires data interpretation. Includes activities and accompanying charts for classroom activities that combine social studies content and data interpretation and classification skills. (CFR)