This material was produced by a task force of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics to provide independent study projects for use in grades four through six. The major goals are as follows: (1) to encourage student research, investigation, and communication of mathematics through reporting and writing; (2) to provide activities that are appropriate for average as well as above average students; (3) to include topics that are not found in the standard curriculum; (4) to supply the teacher with material that can be adapted to a variety of settings including individual and small-group work; (5) to stimulate student interest and curiosity about mathematics and its applications; and (6) to promote the vision of mathematics described in the "Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics." Each of the 18 activities presented includes projects to be completed, explanations or examples to facilitate independent work, and teacher notes, references and related readings. The appendices include patterns and grid papers for various activities. (YP)