A fourth grade teacher and grade level team leader designed and implemented a 10-week practicum intervention meant to improve 26 fourth grade students' motivation, perseverance, and positive attitudes toward problem solving in mathematics. Students took part in activities that enhanced perceptual and deductive reasoning skills, including strategy…

This research investigates the interrelationships of modality strength, modality preference, field dependence-independance, sex, ecological group, and their contribution to mathematics achievement among 256 fourth-grade Puerto Rican students from four ecological environments. Ecological factors were defined as characteristics that make city areas…

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 the elementary grades. Beginning in September 1973, CSMP ran an extended pilot trial of its…

A study of mathematical vocabulary conducted with Navajo Indians in grade four is discussed. How students processed mathematical terms and concepts is described, with problems for Navajo students noted. Recommendations are included. (MNS)

This study compares the effects of two models of vocabulary instruction: (1) the integrated graphic organizer/discussion model; and (2) the definition-only model on the mathematical vocabulary use of fourth grade students. The integrated model combines a modified Concept of Definition (CD) graphic organizer with the Frayer discussion model. The…

Describes an objective-referenced test in mathematics developed by Educational Testing service to assess 40 of the Delaware statewide objectives of fourth-grade students. This test provides information on comprehensive mathematics skills to both administrators and teachers. (DS)

All About Us is a statistical investigation that also involves social studies, language arts, problem solving, and mathematical communication. A fourth-grade class designed a short survey to solicit information from British pen pals to compare typical fourth-grade students in England with themselves. They collected and analyzed data, drew…

Describes the content of an undergraduate course called "Field Work in Applied Psychology: Teaching Mathematics." Assigns students to gain field work experience by teaching fourth-, fifth-, or sixth-grade students mathematics. Reviews the goals for the teacher, college students, and elementary schools. (CMK)

"Options". "Opinions". "Challenges". These are the key words used by a group of gifted 3rd- and 4th-grade students when asked what they want out of math. Although not surprised by the desire for challenges, most of the author's colleagues are intrigued by the students' wishes for options and opinions in math. After…

Recent reforms in mathematics education suggest that classroom teachers ought to shift away from the traditional concentration on arithmetical computation and adopt goals of mathematical confidence, problem solving, communication, reasoning, and appreciation. To understand how students are thinking in a given situation, teachers need to make their…

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 4, with additional information for the teacher's use. Each of the test items is presented with the correct answers and the criteria for…

This booklet was prepared for the parents of fourth-grade children who are participating in Chapter 1 programs in Louisiana. Activities which will give children practice with each of the mathematics skills on the fourth-grade Louisiana Basic Skills Test are included. For each skill there are at least two pages of practice, plus a test question…

The development and field testing of two instructional mathematics programs are discussed. The general instructional program evolved from earlier research, and was field tested with 40 teachers and over 1000 fourth-grade students. Data reflected that this program had strong, positive effects on students' achievement. The second program focused on…

Presented is an overview of the 1979 Illinois Inventory of Educational Progress (IIEP) for fourth-grade mathematics. The IIEP is a systematic effort by the Illinois State Board of Education to collect information on the educational achievement of Illinois students in certain areas and to make that information available to education…

This study investigated the effects of the use of hand-held calculators on problem solving and computational skills of elementary school students. It also considers the resulting implications for curriculum change. Evaluation focused on achievement in problem solving, computational skills, and number concepts of kindergarten, second grade, and…