The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate typical middle school general education mathematics teachers' beliefs and knowledge of students with learning disabilities and inclusive instruction and to gain an understanding of the process of inclusion as it is implemented in middle school classrooms. In-depth interviews, surveys, and…

Describes three perspectives from which middle school teachers can plan laboratory activities for the purpose of improving students' scientific literacy. Perspectives are the learning cycle approach categorizing activities by stages of development; problem-solving skills approach categorizing activities according to the amount of teacher control;…

A random arrangement of two contrasting colors in a 20x20 array is used to facilitate students' understanding of the notions of randomness, independence, and long-run frequency. It can also be used to test some prevalent errors in probabilistic reasoning. Three activities are described. (MNS)

Examines middle school integrated mathematics and science education from the perspectives of theory and practice. A conceptual framework in the form of a mathematics/science continuum is included to lend clarity and precision to the phrase "integrated mathematics and science." Discusses barriers to integrating mathematics and science. (Author/SJR)

Assesses the effectiveness of two generative learning strategies, concept mapping and laboratory experiments, to determine if one is more effective with individual learners or learning groups in science classrooms. Indicates that students starting with concept maps showed higher achievement than students beginning with laboratory experiments, and…

Reports a sample of Houston's middle school science teachers (n=227) perceived level of need for and acceptance of (1) science-technology-society (STS) goal levels; (2) STS curricular materials, (3) inservice related to STS instructional methods; and (4) inservice focused on STS-related content. (23 references) (MDH)

Examines how selected U.S. and Asian mathematics curricula are designed to facilitate students' understanding of the arithmetic average. Discusses similarities and differences of learning goals, focuses, and concepts among U.S. commercial, Asian, and U.S. reform curriculum series. (Author/KHR)

A summer project in which middle school teachers worked with scientists to increase their knowledge of current scientific developments is described. Teacher's logs and notebooks, research scientists' logs, and the education advisor's log were used to compile a multidimensional description of the project's evolution and outcomes. (KR)

Presents the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project's (UCMSP) Every Day Mathematics Program as one current reform-based elementary curriculum incorporating geometry throughout the K-6 curriculum, with an emphasis on hands-on and problem-solving activities. Measures the longitudinal effects of such an approach. (Author/CCM)

Evaluates the attitudes of Chinese boys and girls toward selected science topics. Analysis indicates that male and female Chinese students differed in their response patterns. Females selected more intense responses (strongly agree as opposed to agree, strongly disagree as opposed to disagree). Also, females selected responses suggesting that they…

Investigates the perceptions of the connections between mathematics and science held by university/college instructors who participated in the Maryland Collaborative for Teacher Preparation (MCTP), an NSF-funded program aimed at developing middle-level mathematics and science teachers. (Author/CCM)

Describes differences between preservice and inservice middle school science teachers in their attitudes toward the learning and teaching of science through inquiry. Indicates that inservice teachers hold more positive views regarding the process of inquiry and inquiry teaching than do preservice teachers. Contains 18 references. (Author/ASK)

Scores student-constructed concept maps (n=17) that emerged from post-instructional interviews about chlorofluorocarbons against a teacher-expert map using a scheme weighted for relationships. Supports the recommendations of others to use expert referents and emphasize concept relationships in assessing concept maps. (Author/MM)

This research study examines the instructional practices of 10 middle grades teachers related to their use of manipulatives in teaching mathematics and their control of mathematics tools during instruction. Through 40 observations of teaching, 30 interviews, and an examination of 67 written documents (including teachers' plans and records),…

This discussion is primarily designed to increase teachers' awareness of Piaget's theory of cognitive development and implications for mathematics in the middle school. It is hoped such awareness will compel instructors to adopt strategies that help pupils gain more from mathematical experiences, by providing impetus for innovation and…