Students often have the misconception that mathematics involves reading the problem, staring at the page, and then writing down an answer. With more than twenty years of experience working with students in eighth-grade math through college calculus, the author has been increasingly interested in how she can foster problem-solving skills in her…

In this article, a classroom teacher discusses ambiguities in mathematics vocabulary and strategies for ELL students in building understanding. The authors note that mathematics vocabulary may be more difficult to learn than other academic vocabulary for several reasons: (1) definitions are filled with technical vocabulary, symbols, and diagrams;…

Card tricks based on mathematical principles can be a great way to get students interested in exploring some important mathematical ideas. In this article, the author discusses a simple spreadsheet implementation that shows students why the card trick works and allows them to explore several variations. As an added bonus, students are introduced…

Most students love to play games. Ernest (1986) believed that games could be used to teach mathematics effectively in four areas: motivation, concept development, reinforcement of skills, and practice of problem-solving strategies. Fifteen is an interesting and thought-provoking game that helps students learn mathematics at the same time. Playing…

Presents selection criteria for teachers to use when reviewing video materials for classroom use. Provides an annotated bibliography. (ASK)

Discusses two concrete models that have been useful in helping students understand operations with percentages. Includes information on materials needed, procedures for students, limitations, and instructional strategies. (JN)

Examines several periods of world history including Greece, the middle ages, and the 17th century to gain a better understanding of the development of mathematics and share this information with students so that they can learn mathematics as a product of the people who lived their lives surrounded by the cultural influences and distractions of…

Discusses how the National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded curricula stack up against the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)'s "Principles and Standards". Identifies distinctive features of the five textbook series and includes an example that shows some of these features for each series. (KHR)

Contains tips from readers about using technology in the classroom, including notebook computers, classroom sets of calculators, geometry software, LOGO software, publisher discounts, curriculum materials in CD-ROM, and volunteer help in computers and computer networking for schools. (MKR)

Media Clips aims to offer readers contemporary, authentic applications of quantitative reasoning based on print or electronic media. Clips may be in text or graphic format, and clip sources may be either print or electronic media.

Presents a classification of factorable cubics and shows how the associated factor graphs determine domains of disconnected branches and furnish a skeletal framework for the number and shape of the branches. Illustrates three dimensional visualization and examines level curves and spikes of surfaces. (KHR)

Provided are four worksheets that are designed to capitalize on the use of calculators as teachers' partners in helping students to develop an intuitive feeling for percentage. Students also learn how to use the calculator's percent key to compute percentages. (MNS)

Activities concern exploring data and using the stem-and-leaf plot for displaying data. The three worksheets present activities, with brief directions for the teacher included. (MNS)

A series of problem solving situations designed around a hypothetical birdhouse factory is explored. The original material is designed around solving systems of equations, but the approach used is designed to be easily modifiable to incorporate other mathematical content. (MP)

Examines a root-approximation method using fixed points as a pedagogical tool for reinforcing and expanding students' conception of functions. (KHR)