This research presents a preliminary overview of the teaching practices of fourth grade teachers throughout the state of New Jersey. These teachers were all involved in professional development experiences designed to help them revise their approach to the teaching and learning of mathematics. In this aspect of the study, we observed at least…

In this study, 155 fourth-grade students in five classrooms were compared during mathematics instruction to assess differences in teacher wait-time among high, medium, and low academic achievers and to examine differences in wait-time between girls and boys. (Authors/CJ)

The way that fractions are taught to fourth-grade pupils at the Village Community School in New York City is detailed. The approach is thought to make the often frightening symbols of fractions into something that even beginning students find meaningful. Meaning rather than computational technique is emphasized. (MP)

Examples are given of the way computers are introduced to gifted students in Racine, Wisconsin Elementary Schools. (MK)

Describes a science unit used in a fourth-grade class to teach students about Bernoulli's law of flight, the similarity of tetrahedrons to birds, and the construction of tetrahedron kites. Also includes thought-provoking math questions for students. (MDM)

Describes a problem formulated by fourth-grade students about having more pizza for lunch, and the clarifying, predicting, modeling, simulating, comparing, and extending activities that occurred in addressing the problem from a probabilistic perspective. (MKR)

This case study evaluates the extent to which seven basal mathematics programs for fourth-grade students adhered to salient instructional design criteria when teaching the mathematics skill of subtraction across zeros. Results indicated that across the 1994-1995 mathematics series, only Silver Burdett & Ginn satisfied most criteria. (Author/CR)

In this article, Laura Grandau traces a self-study research project focused on teaching algebra to fourth-grade students. Facing a new curriculum and a new grade level, Grandau considers what good instruction and "good habits of practice" may be. Through journaling, videos, observations, analysis of students' verbal and written responses, and…

A sample of 26 at-risk fourth graders was randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group was taught geometry concepts using drama, while the control group received more traditional instruction. Fifty minute lessons per day were given for one week. Then, a multiple choice test to assess academic achievement was…

Algebra instruction has traditionally been postponed until adolescence because of historical reasons (algebra emerged relatively recently), assumptions about psychological development ("developmental constraints" and "developmental readiness"), and data documenting the difficulties that adolescents have with algebra. Here we…

This article recounts the battle in the "math wars" that took place in Massachusetts, United States in 1999-2000 over the scope, content and teaching of the state's K-12 mathematics curriculum. Harsh controversies arose between the partisans of a "reform-math" movement stressing an undefined "conceptual understanding"…

Items in the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory's (NCREL) School Development Library series are multimedia packages consisting of print, video, and CD-ROM resources designed to support educators in their efforts to improve classroom instruction. This particular set consists of a 40-minute video and a printed booklet focusing on Dwight…

This document is the answer key for level 4 of the teacher-developed mathematics curriculum for New York City schools. Approximately 235 performance objectives are listed, with reference to the appropriate worksheet(s) for each. The answers are typed in the appropriate space on each sheet; when varied answers are possible, this is noted. (MNS)

The focus of this dissertation was to develop a model instructional unit to teach story problem-solving skills to fourth- and fifth-grade pupils and to determine the model's effectiveness. Subjects were randomly selected pupils in the Long Beach Unified School District. The model unit consisted of a sequenced continuum of instructional objectives…

This is Part 2 of the teacher's commentary for the grade 4 mathematics program. Part 2 includes the commentary for chapters 6 through 10. Topics covered include addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, geometrical figures, lines and lineal measurement, and fractions. (RH)