Discusses how children's literature can be used as a context to develop problem-solving tasks. Illustrates this idea by developing tasks to teach concepts related to multiplication through the context of "The Patchwork Quilt," a children's book by Valerie Flournoy. Suggests activity extensions to determine unit sizes, draw scale models,…

Presents five activities focusing on mental computation and estimation for the K-3, 3-5, 4-6, and 6-8 grade levels that require the student, acting as a judge, to review solutions to problems and to pronounce and justify a verdict. Provides suggested materials, questions, possible extensions, answers, and worksheets for each activity. (MDH)

Presents a series of five activities that introduce division of fractions through real-world situations. Discusses problems related to resurfacing a highway, painting dividing stripes on a highway, covering one area A with another area B, looking for patterns, and maximizing the result of a division problem. Includes reproducible worksheets. (MDH)

Presents an account of the historical evolution of the definition of variable and the way the concept is currently treated in textbooks. Shares activities to promote student discussion on the use of variables as constants, as quantities that vary, and as parameters. Provides a reproducible worksheet. (MDH)

This paper urges the use of Theatre Rehearsal Technique activities as communication learning experiences for adolescent African-American male learners with behavior disorders. The paper proposes that students may then gain quantifiable success in social communication interactions, and resultant reassessments of their special education placements…

This article is concerned with the learning of mathematics before the commencement of formal schooling. Describes the experiences of two students from four main sets of data: formal and informal measures of mathematics achievement, the learning environment in the home, and observations during teacher-led sessions concerned with mathematical…

Discusses how a single problem can be utilized to discuss mathematical skills and concepts at several different levels. Presents a problem involving fractions examined at the following four levels according to the abilities of the students: (1) finding solutions; (2) identifying methods for finding solutions; (3) exploring similar examples; and…

Describes activities that use the geometric construction capabilities of the Geometer's Sketchpad computer software to explore triangles. Topics investigated include angle measurement, the sum of the measures of the angles of a triangle and a five-pointed star, triangle classification, and area and perimeter of a triangle. (MDH)

Discussed is the process of translating situations involving changing quantities into mathematical relationships. This process, called dynamical modeling, allows students to learn new mathematics while sharpening their algebraic skills. A description of dynamical systems, problem-solving methods, a graphical analysis, and available classroom…

Provides fully developed library media activities that are designed to be used in connection with specific curriculum units, including foreign language (Spanish); reading and language arts (expository writing and use of a thesaurus); science and social studies (land biomes, state birds, and country's flags). (LRW)

Reports on the use of an interactive interface in school-based research to explore the learning of kinematics through body movement. Responses from, as well as the successes of, middle and secondary school students are indicated as significant for learning behaviors both in a school setting and at interactive science exhibits. (22 references)…

Presents a framework for teachers to use the thermodynamic system of popping corn to generate student interest. Examines the popping mechanism and the role of steam in, the heat required during, and the energy efficiency of the popping process. (MDH)

Presents activities for the K-2, 2-5, 5-6, and 5-8 levels that require students to analyze information graphically. Asks the students to discuss, describe, read, and write about the graphs and the information they contain. Supplies accompanying worksheets. (MDH)

Presents activities for the K-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 levels focusing on the role of numbers and language in real-world situation. Students are asked to discuss, describe, read, and write about numbers they find in toy shops, the post office, in sports, and at airports. Provides appropriate worksheets. (MDH)

Described is an introductory probability and statistics class focused on teaching the concepts of sampling and binomial distributions through a strategy based on teacher and student generated simulation using the Boxer computer language. The value of integrating programing with teaching subject matter is demonstrated, and sample student work is…