This article articulates how a "grasp of practice" serves as a reasoning resource for inquiry and citizenship abilities associated with nature of science (NOS) understanding. Theoretically, this resource is elaborated through an overlapping concern with "practice" in two literatures, science studies and psychology of learning, bringing attention…

The vision of K-12 standards-based mathematics reform embraces a greater emphasis on students' ability to communicate their understandings of mathematics by utilizing adaptive reasoning (i.e., reflection, explanation, and justification of thinking) through mathematics discourse. However, recent studies suggest that many students lack the…

Addresses the difficulties for upper elementary students in shifting from reading to learn to reading for content. Suggests that integrating reading instruction into social studies lessons will help students improve in confidence and responsibility for learning. Includes detailed plans for two lessons and the strategies to be used. (DK)

Discusses a sixth-grade assignment to conduct an interview with someone to find out as much as possible about that individual's profession as well as ways in which mathematics are used in that profession. Peer teaching, communication, and reasoning were natural consequences of this activity. (AIM)

Examines U.S. and Chinese 6th grade students' mathematical thinking and reasoning involved in solving six process-constrained and six process-open problems. Concludes that the Chinese sample had a significantly higher mean score than the U.S. sample on the process-constrained tasks, but the sample of U.S. students had a significantly higher mean…

Describes an exploratory study on the acquisition and use of knowledge representation skills and structures by sixth-graders, supported by a computer-based learning environment. Results indicated that symbolic structures can be taught successfully, and that students using them in the context of instructional tasks perform at the higher band of…

This report describes a program for improving higher-order thinking skills in mathematics of (n=17) third-, (n=27) fifth-, and (n=27) sixth-grade students in a middle class community. Three interventions were chosen: (1) cooperative learning to develop student self-confidence and to improve student achievement, (2) the instruction of students in…

Describes activities at the Frost Lake (Minnesota) Magnet School of Technology that relate to global concepts including interdependence, economics, and cultural change. Projects in sixth-grade and second-grade classes are explained, and benefits of an integrated approach are discussed, including student motivation and the use of higher order…

Explored the effect of topic-related attitudes on sixth graders' learning and remembering. Students in control, favorable-attitude, or unfavorable-attitude instruction groups heard neutral, positive, or negative passages read aloud. Results suggest experimentally created topic-related attitudes do not interfere with the immediate recall of…

Twenty-four sixth-grade children participated in clinical interviews on ratio and proportion before receiving instruction in the domain. Student thinking was analyzed in terms of mathematical components critical to proportional reasoning. Two components, relative thinking and unitizing, were consistently related to higher levels of sophistication…

Study measured how differences in working memory capacity related to differences in comprehension and following directions in first, third, and sixth graders. The number of words recalled in word- and reading-span tests predicted comprehension for all grades. Results indicate working memory's role in following directions increases with age. (SM)

Examined the effects of a technology-enriched classroom on student development of higher-order thinking skills and student attitudes toward computers in grades five and six. Describes use of the Ross Test of Higher Cognitive Processes and the Computer Attitude Questionnaire, compares results with students in traditional classrooms, and suggest…

Discusses an art project for students in grades 4 to 6 (but that could be adapted for older students) who attend the Old Donation Center for the Gifted and Talented in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Explains that the students created mixed-media boxes that interpreted and synthesized the folklore and arts of a culture. (CMK)

Argues that science may be presented as a continuing effort to improve existing knowledge. Analyzes a three-month discourse by sixth graders, showing that the basic commitments enabling scientific progress can be realized in elementary schools. Suggests that people need to be able to move freely between scientific and other modes of thought to be…

Presents study results on the effects of students working in pairs on spelling in three different grades. Explains that students working individually were compared to students working in pairs. Reports less off-task behavior for the younger students working in pairs. Concludes that effort increases in pair work, but achievement increased only at…