The cognitive effects of self-referencing in math word problems were studied in 100 third, fourth, and fifth graders solving compare-unknown and referent-unknown problems. In general, self-referencing (referring to "you") facilitated encoding processes in solving these problems. Self-referencing appeared to decrease the load on working…

Presents an activity to involve students in mathematical communication and creative thinking. The activity is similar to the "pass it along" gossip game in which each person in a chain adds a piece of information. The class analyzes the resulting mathematics problem using George Polya's problem-solving techniques. (MKR)

Presents responses to a problem that appeared in the April, 1999 issue of this journal. The problem involves finding kite heights compared to each other. (KHR)

Addresses a problem originally published in the September 1994 issue in an article entitled "Creative Teaching Will Produce Creative Students" by Krulik and Rudnick. Problem stated: "Find all rectangles with integral dimensions whose area A and perimeter P are numerically equal." Presents solution to a rectangular solid,…

Presents a word problem designed to encourage students to create systematic methods for counting and develop probability concepts. Involves sharing eight cookies between three people. (KHR)

Discusses problem solutions for questions originally posed in the column "Food for Thought from Jay's Diner." (YDS)

Describes the entire process involved when an untried problem was presented to a group of teachers. The lessons learned from their struggles are helpful reminders that open-ended problems should be presented to high school students. (Author/NB)

Examines student solution strategies to a problem that appeared previously in this journal. (YDS)

Presents the Shopping Spree problem to teach students the concept of estimation. (Author/NB)

Presents responses to the Average Days of Spring problem that appeared in the March 2002 issue of this journal. (Author/NB)

Proposes a four-category classification of semantic structures of one-step word problems involving multiplication and division: forming the n-th multiple of measures, combinatorial multiplication, composition of operators, and multiplication by formula. This classification is compatible with semantic structures of addition and subtraction word…

This article describes the City of London Polytechnic Mathematics Competition for Inner London Secondary Schools. The question design policy is specified, and examples of tie-breaker questions are given. (Author/JDD)

Describes the results of part of a study into mathematical problem solving in secondary schools. Concludes that positive results were achieved, in part, as a consequence of the time that was spent in problem-solving lessons which allowed students to practice reading and working with word problems and working on basic material, particularly…

Genre analysis is a form of discourse analysis that can provide useful and sometimes surprising new perspectives on understanding teaching and learning. Uses two examples to illustrate the application of genre analysis in mathematics education. (Contains 23 references.) (ASK)

A study found gifted middle schoolers (n=60) solved analogous problems better when presented in verbal form, but improved skills in both modalities once exposed to the solution of analogous problems in the visual-humorous modality. Average children (n=60) tended to solve cartoons better, but working with cartoons increased verbal problem-solving…