This paper discusses the National Science Foundation Middle School Mathematics and Science Collaborative (MSC) project designed to help schools implement mathematics and science reform. The paper consists of descriptions of these efforts in four schools: (1) "Summer Subversion/Constructivist Conversion" is about the re-tailoring of…

This study examined factors assumed to influence children's help-seeking styles in the classroom in the domains of math and reading. Children's rating of their comfort in asking for help, and the relation between mothers' helping strategies and children's help-seeking styles, were also investigated. Fifth graders (N=190) completed questionnaires…

Oregon State University (OSU) designed and implemented the Science and Mathematics Investigative Learning Experiences Program (SMILE) to encourage minority students to pursue careers in science and engineering. SMILE offers an after-school enrichment program for middle-school Hispanic and Native American students in eight rural Oregon communities.…

This document provides a description of the competitions involved in the Mathematics Olympics held in the Springfield Public Schools (Missouri). It provides descriptions of the team events (which involved a scavenger hunt, computers, and computations) and the individual events (which involved applied geometry, calculators, conversion from ratio to…

The Skill Acquisition Measures (SAM) were designed by the Lancaster (Pennsylvania) School District as criterion referenced tests for mathematics. This manual consists of copies of the student test forms for level 5, with additional information for the teacher's use. Each of the test items is presented with the correct answers and the criteria for…

The Mathematics Pentathlon is a tournament of mathematics games held each spring since 1979 to promote the development of mathematical concepts and skills while fostering interaction among the educational community. There are five games in each of four divisions, for grades K-1, 2-3, 4-5, and 6-7. The focus is on active problem solving and…

Outlined are the following 11 successful programs, projects, and activities functioning in Hawaii's intermediate schools: Alternative Learning Center (Waipahu and Pearl City Highlands); Career Awareness Exploring through Basic Practical Arts; Career Education Guidance (Kailua); Creating a Positive School Climate; Learning through the Arts;…

This guide provides instructional strategies and activities for improving measurement and geometry skills. In the introduction, the importance of measuring skills, the history of measurement, and instructional approaches are discussed, and a table matching activities with requisite skills is presented. The 16 activities include such topics as…

Work with PLATO, a computer-based teaching system which provides a means for individualizing instruction, is described. Children sit at terminals and respond to directives and questions on the screen by touching it or by typing a message. PLATO responds, and prescribes work in accordance with the child's previous performance. Curricular materials…

A 3-year study was conducted to determine the logical reasoning processes necessary to construct line graphs. Responses obtained from middle and high school science and mathematics students were classified into one of nine categories. These categories ranged from "no attempt to make a graph" to "complete graph with a statement of a…

This manual was written to help district curriculum leaders in New Jersey improve instruction in mathematical problem solving in middle and junior high schools. Four training modules contain the material and information needed to conduct a staff development course. The manual was designed to accompany turn-key training sessions to prepare the…

A study was made: (1) to determine whether children allowed to choose the difficulty levels of their arithmetic problems in a Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) task would show greater engagement in learning than children who were not given a choice, (2) to discover possible patterns in the choices made, and (3) to determine the relationship of…

Results showed hardly any differences in time-on-task behavior between third and fourth grade pupils in mixed age single age mathematics and language arts classes in the Netherlands. Students in mixed age classes spent more time working individually. The ability level of the students had little impact on time-on-task behavior. (Author/RM)

Describes the use of writing activities as tools for teaching mathematics while helping students develop communication and reasoning skills. Writing takes the form of formal essays about mathematical problems, writing to prompts, or focused journal writing. Students learn to clarify, refine, and consolidate thinking. Children learn mathematics…

Highlights combinatorial problems appropriate for students aged 4 to 12 years that utilize manipulatives in a hands-on approach. Examines and identifies students' strategies and self-monitoring techniques that produce effective problem solving. (MDH)