This paper documents the dynamics of the social interactions within two small groups of sixth grade students as they solved problems and attempted to understand the concepts related to the nature of matter and molecular theory. Similarities and differences of social interactions between the two groups are compared, and interpretations presented…

Recognizing that community growth and change are inevitable, Viewfinders' goals are as follows: to introduce students and teachers to the concept of the visual environment; enhance an understanding of the interrelationship between the built and natural environment; create an awareness that the visual environment affects the economy and quality of…

EQUALS is a teacher education program that helps elementary and secondary educators acquire methods and materials to attract minority and female students to mathematics. It supports a problem-solving approach to mathematics which has students working in groups, uses active assessment methods, and incorporates a broad mathematics curriculum…

This resource book contains mathematical games, tricks, and quick activities for the classroom. Categories include computation and calculator practice, manipulative challenges, puzzlers, picky puzzlers, patterns, measurement, money, time tricks, calendar quips, crazy computing, and riddles. Twenty-nine games, tricks, and activities are found in…

A study was conducted to examine the observation that untutored Grade 7 students appeared to have tacit knowledge of how to solve problems in a technological context. Left to their own devices in an environment rich in three-dimensional materials, they frequently designed a solution to a problem in unique and creative ways. Based on experts'…

There is a lack of empirical evidence describing the actual problems encountered by school leaders and the knowledge that they use to find solutions to those problems. This paper presents findings of a study that explored the problems faced by members of a graduate educational-administration class. The participants, 22 practicing public school…

Students better understand problem solving when the basis for the problems are real-life situations. This book, geared for grades 4-8, offers multi-step, real-life problems to encourage students to think flexibly, creatively, and analytically about problem solving. It includes ideas for setting up a problem-solving classroom and assessment…

This book was designed to open up opportunities to expand an instructor's "teaching toolbox." It contains numerous examples of activities or ideas that can be implemented with few modifications to engage students. This book synthesizes one science program's 5-year curricular development experience into a form that addresses and reflects all the…

The possibility of life on other planets holds enormous fascination for people of all ages. This interdisciplinary learning kit uses that theme to launch scientific learning in young students. Through a series of hands-on activities, it directs participants to solve an outer space mystery thereby acquiring and developing scientific knowledge and…

This paper identifies characteristics of a "good" programming teacher, derived from a study of four teachers in charge of beginning courses in BASIC programming language at high schools in the Greater Kansas City area. In addition to doing classroom observation, the researcher interviewed the teachers themselves, students, and the…

As part of Alberta Education's (Canada) broadened assessment initiatives, a sample of 693 Grade 3 students from across the province participated in the Mathematics Performance-based Assessment, 1994. This activity-based assessment, using picture books and manipulatives, was developed by Grade 3 teachers to assess a broad range of skills not easily…

The typical introductory programming course is not an appropriate first computer science course for many students. Initial experiences with programming are often frustrating, resulting in a low rate of successful completion, and focus on syntax rather than providing a representative picture of computer science as a discipline. The paper discusses…

In a multi-stressed environment children and families are affected by one or more sources of significant stress--for example, homelessness, substance abuse, or lack of basic necessities. Living with high levels of stress can take a toll on young children's development. This skill-based staff development program was developed to help classroom…

This document contains nine research papers presented at the Joint Special Session on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education at the annual meeting of the American Mathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America (San Francisco, California, January 1991). Paper titles are: "The Teaching and Learning of College…

This manual is designed to assist the school and trainers in preparing students to become peer mediators. The program seeks to find peaceful solutions to problems, and recognizes that conflict is a natural process and that students can solve their own problem and are responsible people. The format puts introductory and program startup materials…