Describing recent trends in elementary social studies, this article suggests: expanded content which includes ethnic studies; consideration of social realities; emphasis on inquiry and problem solving; upgraded methodology; and a few reforms initiated by Project Social Studies. (JC)

This discussion concerns itself with difficulties encountered by students in multiplication and concludes that when children understand a problem they can usually solve it. (MP)

Explains how a new approach to mathematics education which emphasizes problem solving and interrelationships among various disciplines can help students use mathematics in problem solving in everyday and working lives. (DB)

Argues for a model of in-service training which allows teachers to learn "without a sense of demeaning themselves". (Editor)

An illustrative case problem and questions for discussion are presented to provide a classroom situation which provides students with an opportunity to gain experience typical of that which characterizes employment in business organizations. Focus is on use of the technique in graduate and undergraduate programs designed to train teachers of…

Describes six key practices vital to a problem-centered instructional approach to number sense and computational strategies. Also presents actual classroom examples of strategies. (AIM)

Describes chemistry laboratory experiments that can be done with student-designed investigations. Suggests approaches for restructuring traditional chemistry laboratories. (DKM)

This study compared two teachers' levels of implementation of the DISCOVER approach to gifted education and the resulting effects on number of students identified as gifted and on problem-solving behaviors. Significant relationships were found between level of implementation and positive changes in mathematics problem solving and numbers of…

Describes an undergraduate chemistry curriculum that capitalizes on the strengths of mechanistic organic chemistry. Enables students to grasp the conceptual unity that allows professional chemists to understand unfamiliar results according to few well-defined principles. Describes some instructional strategies that evolved from efforts to connect…

Presents a story on an investigation of the painter of an artwork (who is suspected to be Cezanne) that uses UV spectroscopy, IR spectrum, X-ray fluorescence, and luminescence images. Leaves the story open-ended as to whether the painting is authentic. Includes teaching notes and suggestions for classroom management. (YDS)

Describes an approach to the teaching of electricity that uses box and AVOW diagrams, novel representations of the properties of the electric circuit that portray current, voltage, resistance, and power. The diagrams were developed as aids in learning, understanding, and problem solving and to promote conceptual change by challenging a number of…

Reports findings from the team teaching of a course in mathematical problem solving designed for secondary and community college teachers to clarify the concept of ."ecessary and sufficient" conditions. Discusses assigned problems and students' incorrect interpretations. Student interpretations showed how simple mistakes can often lead to rich…

Recent research in mathematics instruction underscores the importance of problem solving and higher-level thinking. This article presents four themes in instruction for students with learning disabilities: (1) provide a broad, balanced mathematics curriculum; (2) engage students in meaningful problem tasks; (3) accommodate diverse learning styles;…

Discusses current views on problem solving in the workplace, and identifies five areas for consideration: (1) knowledge representation; (2) verbally teaching strategy components of the skill--versus the learner acquiring it inductively through practice; (3) the principles of teaching procedures; (4) how to construct simulations; and (5) weighing…

Explores the working group model for mathematics teacher education and presents group investigations from the areas of number theory, probability, and geometry. Argues that by working in groups, sharing ideas, and making and testing conjectures, prospective teachers gain confidence in their own ability to do mathematics and develop a variety of…