Two developments in teacher expectation research formed the basis for the current study. First, researchers have begun investigating the self-fulfilling prophecy effects of teacher expectations on a variety of psycho-social outcomes in addition to the effects on academic achievement. Second, researchers have started to realize that some groups of…

In many Western countries, there has been an emphasis on ways in which to support teachers to shift practice from traditional mathematics instruction to inquiry-based classrooms. As a form of professional learning and development, lesson study offers the potential for teachers to develop their ability to respond to students' thinking through…

This article focuses on cluster teachers' differentiation of their classroom instructional practices within an urban setting. Data were gathered from classroom observations of the learning task, questioning, and the classroom environment; ratings of observations using the "Classroom Instructional Practices Scale;" and interviews with…

This report describes a three-year project aimed at improving mathematics education in grades 6-9 in Birmingham, Alabama. The purpose of the project was to enhance mathematical knowledge and improve the instructional skills of middle school mathematics teachers (n=58) through an innovative teacher enhancement program. Since the middle school years…

Classroom practices believed to affect student motivation were assessed for 24 upper elementary school teachers during a unit on fractions. Reform-minded teachers emphasized effort, mastery, and understanding more, and those who had received training in motivation made more accurate judgments of students' motivation. (SLD)

This qualitative study investigated six beginning elementary teachers' beliefs about mathematics and mathematics pedagogy and explored the relationships between their mathematics beliefs and teaching practice. A key question that was addressed was "What are the primary factors that influence beliefs, practices, and the consistency between beliefs…

The Comprehensive School Mathematics Program (CSMP) is a program of CEMREL, Inc., one of the national educational laboratories, and was funded by the National Institute of Education (NIE). Its major purpose is the development of curriculum materials for grades kindergarten through 6. This volume describes non-test data collected in spring 1980…

Describes the experiences of a teacher using a mathematics curriculum called Six Through Eight Mathematics (STEM). Discusses how experiencing this curriculum helped shape views of mathematics and teacher role. (ASK)

Considering teachers' thinking about a specific mathematical topic allows one to better understand the broader domain of teachers' mathematical thinking and its influence on teaching and learning. This paper explores the meanings and understandings communicated by one middle school mathematics teacher about mathematics and mathematics teaching in…

The Comprehensive School Mathematics Program (CSMP) is a program of CEMREL, Inc., one of the national educational laboratories, and was funded by the National Institute of Education (NIE). Its major purpose is the development of curriculum materials for kindergarten through grade 6. This document describes non-test data collected from classes…

Discusses a children's television show, "The Math Connection," which shows connections between mathematics and daily pursuits of local workers and tries to affect attitudes of students and teachers toward mathematics. Describes the content and structure and the open-ended problems on which students work to prepare for the show. (MKR)

This project focused on the use of creative dramatics as a teaching tool in core academic subject classrooms. Research has shown that student-centered instructional activities, such as the use of creative dramatics, allow students to construct knowledge and make meaningful the new concepts being learned. This case study describes the classroom…

The Comprehensive School Mathematics Program (CSMP) is a program of CEMREL, Inc., one of the national educational laboratories, and was funded by the National Institute of Education (NIE). Its major purpose is the development of curriculum materials for grades kindergarten through 6. In the fall of 1973, CSMP began a longitudinal pilot study of…

The purpose of this study was to discover what teachers believe about problem solving in mathematics and to what extent their beliefs are reflected in the beliefs of students. Ten 5th-grade teachers in a large rural school district volunteered to participate. Each teacher identified one student perceived as successful and one perceived as…

A series of 28 15-minute video programs in mathematics designed for use in grade 4, It Figures uses a combination of drama and animation to focus on mathematical skills, ideas, and problem-solving strategies. This instructional television series has been used in the United States and Canada since 1982, and a survey of selected teachers using It…