Learning to teach mathematics for understanding is not easy. First, practice itself is complex. Second, many teachers' traditional experiences with and orientations to mathematics and its pedagogy are additional hindrances. This paper examines teaching practices and reviews some of what is known about prospective and experienced elementary…

This experiment investigated how sex of model and type of modeled behavior influenced achievement outcomes among elementary school children who had experienced difficulties learning mathematical skills in school. Children observed either a same- or opposite-sex peer model demonstrate either rapid (mastery model) or gradual (coping model)…

The Education Technology Center (ETC) Fractions Group works to investigate well-documented difficulties that children have in understanding fractions. A central assumption underlying this group's inquiry is that students' difficulties in manipulating fractions arise from their lack of understanding about the nature of fractions. In order to learn…

This combination methods and resource book is written for preservice and inservice teachers of mathematics in the elementary school. It presents a program based on the research of the learning theories of Piaget, Brownell, Deines, Skemp, and Gagne and on successful classroom practices. The 14 chapters deal with: (1) "Mathematics in the Elementary…

Presented is a detailed discussion of the performance pattern of third- and sixth-grade pupils in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) for the skill area of fractional numbers. The report begins with a brief and general introduction regarding minimum competencies and continues with tables showing the performance levels of non-English…

This study focuses on basic mathematical skills mastered by middle school students. A test designed for the investigation was administered to 400 seventh- and eighth-grade pupils in three middle schools in Houston, Texas. The test, which focuses on fractions, was administered by the regular mathematics teacher during the mathematics class period…

This training manual is designed to introduce and assist naval personnel in the conversion from the English system of measurement to the metric system of measurement. The book tells what the "move to metrics" is all about, and details why the change to the metric system is necessary. Individual chapters are devoted to how the metric system will…

These activity cards, developed by the Unified Science and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) Project, are divided into 18 groups. The first group of cards are Design Lab Tech Cards; the remaining groups are "How To" Cards. They include: (1) How To Construct a Sampling Histogram; (2) How To Make a Bar Graph Tally; (3) How To Make…

This mathematics textbook, developed for use with slow learners and learning disabled students in secondary school, contains 17 chapters. Among the topics covered are: number words; place value; rounding whole numbers; addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers; reducing fractions; mixed numbers; lowest common…

This working paper is a product of a graduate research seminar in mathematics education at the University of Wisconsin. Chapter I contains the rationale for re-examining fractions. The discussion centers around the different interpretations of fractions in view of the use of hand-held calculators and the metric system. In Chapter II a logical,…

A program of mathematics instruction for grade one is provided in this curriculum guide. The teaching goal of each lesson is stated in the Purpose section. Visual aids and manipulative materials useful in developing each lesson are suggested and additional teaching aids are listed. Suggestions for teaching the lessons are separated into three…

Six sets of nonstandard mathematical activities or problems are presented. The topics are appropriate for a wide range of age and ablity groups. Includes answers and explanations. (PK)

This book contains a collection of fraction lessons that support curriculum and instruction. The goals of the lessons are to give all students the chance to: (1) extend their understanding of the place value system to include decimals; (2) learn how decimals relate to fractions; (3) represent, read, and interpret decimal numerals; (4) compare…

Details six activities that utilize data contained in a telephone book. Topics include data display, fractional numeracy, random art, estimation, and probability. Contains a summary and extension activities, some of which focus on permutations and combinations. (DDR)

A theory is proposed for how students develop competence with the written symbols of decimal fractions. Competence is viewed as the cumulative and sequential mastery of four separate cognitive processes. The theory was tested with small groups of students, most of whom were able to acquire the first two processes. (MNS)