Presents games for practicing and reinforcing the basic facts of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in spite of differences in age and ability. Describes the materials and rules for the games. (YP)

The content of the standards focusing on numbers and numeration for grades K-8 are discussed. Several activities for developing number concepts and skills are described. (YP)

Studied were the misconceptions that preservice elementary teachers have about multiplication and division. Results indicated that they are influenced by the same primitive models as students; the most common errors made by both groups are quite similar. (MNS)

Compares two methods of approaching problem solving in quantitative disciplines. The danger of looking at answers too quickly is discussed. (YP)

Three experiments involving 138 college students investigated why one type of graphic organizer (a matrix) may communicate interconcept relations better than an outline or text. Results suggest that a matrix is more computationally efficient than either outline or text, allowing the easier computation of relationships. (SLD)

Provides the instructions to build a homemade calculator that can be used as a reinforcement device to assist primary students in memorizing their addition facts. (MDH)

Three mathematics software packages, MathCAD, Point Five, and TK Solver Plus, are described and compared. The packages were rated on the accompanying documentation, ease of learning, ease of use, matrix operations, equation solving capability, versatility, use of units, generation of graphs and tables, readability of output, and overall…

A study compared the performance of two groups of university students. One group (n=40) was taught calculus using a computer algebra system whereas the other (n=41) used paper-and-pencil computations. The computer group scored significantly higher than their counterparts on both a conceptual knowledge test and a calculus computational exam. (JJK)

Seven junior high students with educable mental handicaps were trained to solve four-column subtraction problems involving regrouping. Results in performance favored calculators over pencil and paper, with rehearsal and visual cues influencing performance for only one student. With calculators, subjects' performances were equivalent to a…

Presents an activity centering on Baravelle spirals in regular polygons to review and connect a number of algebraic and geometric topics, as well as to involve students in formal calculations, visualization, pattern discovery, series, estimation, and recursion. (MKR)

Interviewed 49 Scottish preschoolers about their understanding of literacy and numeracy. Found that children of this age group often held erroneous or conflicting beliefs about their ability to read or count. Subjects indicated some understanding of the generalities of story reading and counting before they could actually perform either activity.…

Activities that illustrate a problem-solving approach to teaching grouping symbols, such as parentheses and brackets, are described. Suggested exercises, answers to those exercises, and variations of this activity are included. (KR)

This article offers multiplication fact memorization training techniques that have been successfully used with students with learning disabilities in resource room and clinical settings. Techniques include organizing the facts, using finger multiplication, visual mnemonic flashcards, and musical reinforcement. (DB)

An approach that may be used to introduce the fundamental ideas of thermodynamics using a mathematical background with the knowledge of the behavior of matter is described. The physical background, conservation of energy, predicting the behavior of a system, and solving problems are topics of discussion. (KR)

Freudenthal was the founder of realistic mathematics education, in which reality serves as a source of applications and learning. Takes a newspaper article about reproducing a Van Gogh painting using plants in a field to exemplify a rich context problem containing elements of all areas of elementary school mathematics. (MDH)