Describes a study of 2 secondary students working problems over a 10-week period. Information on metacognitive awareness, confidence, and ability were collected through two videotaped sessions and questionnaires. Results suggest impulsiveness and perceived order of merit inhibit effective problem solving. (MTE)

Presents an activity that uses basketball shoes to introduce the concept of friction. Discusses setting up, friction fundamentals, and fun friction facts. (JRH)

As times change, so has the role of algebra in the educational program. The Interactive Mathematics Program (IMP) offers secondary students an opportunity to learn algebra in a college preparatory sequence that combines basic skills, problem solving, and conceptual understanding while integrating algebra into a problem-based program. Designed for…

States that science courses present modern derived knowledge to be learned and applied to exercises. Proposes looking at the process of problem solving as an exercise in the scientific method against a historical background in social context with information about personalities involved. Uses an example moving from vague concept of element to a…

Combined fading with the introduction of prompts designed to encourage learners to identify the underlying principle illustrated in each worked-out solution step. Across 2 experiments, this combination produced medium to large effects on near and far transfer without requiring additional time on task. Thus, the instructional procedure is highly…

Presented preschoolers and first graders with 3-term inversion problems such as 3 + 2 - 2 and similar standard problems to examine whether children used the inversion principle and if use was based on qualitative identity, length, or quantity. Found that both age groups showed evidence of using inversion in a fully quantitative manner, indicating…

Five experiments demonstrated that 6.5-month-olds perseverated in a violation-of-expectation task to examine reasoning about width information in containment events. After watching a familiarization event in which a ball was lowered into a wide container, infants failed to detect the violation when the same ball was lowered into a container half…

Presents a problem-solving investigation on coal mining that integrates science and mathematics with geology. Engages students in a scenario in which they play the roles of geologists and mining engineers. (NB)

Outlines seven principles, in Swahili and English, of Kwanzaa, known as the Nguzo Saba: umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity), and imani (faith). Uses these principles to lay the foundation for a problem-posing education in…

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)

Reviews the current practice of school-based consultation in the United Kingdom, and discusses the degree to which current practice matches research findings on effective consultation. Identifies some of the key characteristics that are essential for consultation to be effective in achieving change, and points out the need for such characteristics…

Examines the communication strategies that differentiate "strong" stepfamilies from stepfamilies having more difficulty, inductively deriving a composite of stepfamily "communication strengths." Finds that in general, strong stepfamilies reported using everyday talk, more openness, spending time together as a family, communicating clear rules and…

Explores partnerships between educators and employers of environmental health graduates that can help address the challenges of employing qualified faculty, ensuring the relevance of skills and knowledge developed, and motivating students to learn. Focuses on joint projects in which students help employers identify and solve problems in the field.…

Roof problems arise from faulty design, vandalism, severe weather conditions, and more. Describes how three educational institutions overcame such problems. (MLF)

After observing students learning to work out differences in conflict-resolution classes, a supervising administrator at a Connecticut high school began using his office wall as a backdrop for large posters representing model conflict-resolution practices. Posters define conflict; address ways to handle anger; discuss win-win strategies,…