Presents a study that examined the differences between mathematically disabled children and mathematically normal children in a cross-sectional perspective. Concludes that mathematically disabled children need mathematics instruction to move from a focus on computation to strategy-learning activities. Contains 44 references. (Author/ASK)

Reports on the efficacy of different contexts for word problems given to Grade Four and Grade Six students. Examines and compares the use of fantasy contexts with both adult and children's real-world contexts. Finds that students expressed an interest in the fantasy contexts. (Author/MM)

Develops and tests a function-based approach to algebra called the Visual Mathematics curriculum in grades 7-9. Presents a theoretical framework for a systemic investigation of the structures of algebra word problems and their relationship to function-based solutions. Suggests new insights into categorizing word problems. (Contains 19 references.)…

This article examines the benefits and teaching procedures resulting from a classroom activity in student problem posing. The benefits included an enhancement of student reasoning and reflection and a heightened level of engagement. "Principles and Standards for School Mathematics" indicates that one of the critical requirements for successful…

Students often look for real-life situations where they can apply the concepts they learn. A project of measuring the speed of moving cars demonstrates that they learn communication skills, teamwork skills, and develop patience specially when work in a group with a common purpose.

Two experiments were conducted to understand the processes through which 5th graders discriminate relevant from irrelevant information when solving mathematical story problems. Visual scanning was recorded and coded as directed toward relevant information, irrelevant information, the question, workspace, and elsewhere. Experiment 1 focused on the…

This study explores the mathematical problem-solving process of trainee teachers in a teachers' training institute. This research adopts a constructivist perspective that views learning mathematics as a process of constructing meaningful representation and knowledge as being constructed by the individual. The research methodology employs the case…

Abstraction is a major concept in computer science and serves as a powerful tool in software development. Pattern-oriented instruction (POI) is a pedagogical approach that incorporates patterns in an introductory computer science course in order to structure the learning of algorithmic problem solving. This paper examines abstraction processes in…

When testing English language learners (ELLs) in subject matter areas, construct irrelevant variance could result from English, the language in which the test is presented. Differential item functioning (DIF) techniques have been used to determine if items are operating differently for population subgroups and might therefore be appropriate for…

Mathematical tasks, centered on arithmetic word problems, are discussed as the basis of an approach to facilitate preservice elementary teachers' development of mathematical knowledge for teaching arithmetic operations. The approach consists of three groups of tasks that allow students to reflect on their initial knowledge, explore arithmetic word…

Using a single-subject alternating treatments reversal design, the effects of three conditions, tactile stimulation, auditory stimulation, and choice of the two, were compared on the math story problem solving of elementary students with attention problems. Students attempted and solved slightly more problems and engaged in fewer off-task…

This paper proposes a learning based method that can automatically determine how likely a student is to give a correct answer to a problem in an intelligent tutoring system. Only log files that record students' actions with the system are used to train the model, therefore the modeling process doesn't require expert knowledge for identifying…

Young Filipino children are expected to solve mathematical word problems in English, which is not their mother tongue. Because of this, it is often assumed that Filipino children have difficulties in solving problems because they cannot read or comprehend what they have read. This study tested this assumption by determining whether presenting word…

This booklet is a teacher's guide for a lesson, appropriate for grades 3-9, to strengthen students' mathematics skills while increasing their knowledge of energy. It consists of a game in which teams of students solve mathematics problems about energy units. The booklet contains 24 challenging mathematics word problems and 1 mega-question. (MKR)

This book is a collection of 15 open-ended mathematics questions for kindergarten, first- and second-grade children. The questions deal with animals, birthdays, mittens, and other topics that capture the interest of young children. The problems are open ended because they have multiple solutions and/or multiple approaches to reach one solution.…