Mathematical problems generated by 509 middle school students who were given story-problem descriptions and asked to pose questions that could be answered using the information were examined for solvability, linguistic and mathematical complexity, and relationships within the sets of posed problems. The multiple-step data analysis scheme can be…

Presents a methodology designed to strengthen the cognitive effects of using graphing calculators to solve polynomial equations using pattern matching, searching, and heuristics. Discusses pattern matching as a problem-solving strategy useful in the physical, social, political, and economic worlds of today's students. (DDR)

Summarizes some of the common findings in the professional literature pertaining to conflict resolution (CR) curricula and peer mediation (PM) programs. Discusses theoretical, methodological and operational considerations that are relevant to conducting research and evaluation in school settings. Proposes a model to guide educators' decisions on…

Describes a study of third-grade students (N=38) that investigates the development of linear measurement concepts. Three levels of strategies were identified: visual guessing, hash marks, and no physical partitioning. Students who connected numeric and spatial representations proved to be the better problem solvers. Contains 22 reference. (DDR)

Two beginning teachers were observed in an integrated instruction planning task. Their interpretations were studied when they worked collaboratively and when they worked independently. Data from interviews and field notes indicated that their individual planning lacked decision-choice flexibility and had limited strategy use. When they…

Examined aspects of the family experience of 194 males at age 10 as predictors of police arrest by age 17. Quality of parent-child relations, parental discipline practices, family structure, and family problem solving influenced chances of arrest. Results clarify the timing and indirect nature of family effects on delinquency. (RJM)

Compared five subgroups of aggressive children and adolescents on several adjustment correlates. Found that the reactive group and the group high on both instrumental and reactive reasons for aggression showed consistent maladaptive patterns across the adjustment correlates. The instrumental and typical groups (moderate on instrumental and…

This study examined effects of video-based, anchored instruction and applied problems on the ability of 11 low-achieving (LA) and 26 average-achieving (AA) eighth graders to solve computation and word problems. Performance for both groups was higher during anchored instruction than during baseline, but no differences were found between instruction…

Investigates the behaviors, interactions, and perceptions of junior high school students as they worked in structured or unstructured cooperative learning groups on problem-solving, curriculum-based tasks in mathematics, science and English. Results show that children in the structured groups were more cooperative and provided more relevant verbal…

This study investigated whether the process of representational change undergoes developmental change or different processes occupy different niches in the course of knowledge acquisition. Subjects--college, third-, and sixth-grade students--solved gear system problems over two sessions. Findings indicated that for all grades, discovery of the…

This article describes "Project Learning Tree," an environmentally-focused resource for middle school teachers, providing lessons that are integrated and connect well to interests of young adolescents and how they learn. The lessons emphasize the core subjects while promoting problem solving, hands-on experimentation, and higher order…

Details a project in which successful DNA analysis techniques were developed by students and their teacher in a rural school. Focuses on a study of sage grouse. (DDR)

Examined children's mathematical competencies between ages 7 and 9. Found no differences in developmental rate between children with math difficulties only (MD), math and reading difficulties (MD-RD), reading difficulties only (RD), and normal math/reading achievement (NA). Found that at end of Grade 3, MD group performed better than MD-RD group…

Investigates a treatment package for anger control in boys ages 7 to 10 using a control group outcome design. The treatment package included modeling, rehearsal with self-talk problem-solving, daily report cards and a praise phase. At post-test treatment participants were significantly higher than controls on the Aggression Control factor of the…

This article describes the two basic versions of the responsiveness-to-intervention (RTI) approach for identifying learning disabilities, the problem solving model and the standard-protocol approach. It reviews evidence on effectiveness and feasibility and concludes that more needs to be understood before RTI may be viewed as a valid…