Questions about teaching rational numbers are discussed, dealing with when to teach the meaning of fractions and of decimals, when and how to teach computation with fractions and with decimals, and other issues. (MNS)

This section presents materials to reinforce computational skills involving fractions and decimals using an Olympic Games setting. Four worksheets are included for levels 1 through 8. (MNS)

Focusing on sports-oriented themes, activities that present computation and problem-solving examples that involve fractions, decimals, and percent are discussed. Worksheet masters suitable for duplication for classroom use are provided. (MP)

Results of the second mathematics assessment of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) indicate how 9-year-olds handled decimals prior to much formal instruction, and give insight into areas of difficulty for 13-year-olds who have received instruction. (MP) Aspect of National Assessment (NAEP) dealt with in this document: Results…

The author argues that the combined effects of adoption of the metric system and the popularity of hand calculators will necessitate curricular changes. Among these will be earlier and stronger emphasis on decimals as well as the introduction of new topics. (SD)

Measurement experiences can promote and illustrate number work in an intuitively satisfying way. Some current practices that are counterproductive for developing number sense and some alternative strategies that are more constructive are included in discussions of the approximate nature of measurement, realistic measurement, and work with rational…

Stimulus control technology was used to instruct seven students in grades five and six who demonstrated difficulty with fraction ratio and decimal relations. Students were trained to match pictorial representations of fractions to printed counterpart fraction ratios and to match printed decimals to pictorial representations of counterpart…

This is part two of a three-part SMSG mathematics text for seventh-grade students. The text was written for those students whose mathematical talent is underdeveloped and is essentially the same subject matter presented in the SMSG text. Chapter topics include: (1) rational numbers and fractions; (2) non-metric geometry; (3) rational numbers and…

The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of students in grades 6 and 7 to order rational numbers in both decimal and fraction form, including the identification of their thinking strategies. Implications for instruction are included. (MNS)

The approaches taken by two elementary school teachers in using computers as tools to stimulate and guide mathematical thinking are described. One had students design a BASIC program for counting; the other used demonstration programs to develop ideas about fractions and decimals. (MNS)

Findings from a study with first-grade children on addition and subtraction help make a case for a conceptual rather than a mechanized approach to the operations. How base ten blocks were used in the program is illustrated. (MNS)

Discussed are the background and implementation of a method of teaching fractions to primary children referred to as "The Visual Concept of Fractions." The advantages and criticisms of the use of this method are stressed. (CW)

Three elementary-school students were exposed to Fractions 1, an instructional program for fraction problem-solving skills based on "direct instruction" principles. Fraction performance increases could reasonably be attributed to the instructional program. Improvements were durable across a short follow-up period and transfer occurred to similiar…

Reviews important research relating the significance of homework to achievement, and describes a study with 64 sixth grade pupils to determine effects of homework in working with fractions over an eight-week period. Findings reveal no statistically significant difference on tests of computational skills in fractions and on measures of…