In a research study designed to investigate the emergence of collective creativity in elementary classroom settings, and in which teachers' decision-making practices were analyzed alongside both the teachers' observed teaching practices in their classrooms and their students' problem solving actions, the first author developed four metaphors for…

Makerspaces provide a viable option for constructing and sharing knowledge in schools. Inherent in the designing, tinkering, and playing that learners engage in through making are competencies, such as the ability to create, problem solve, and innovate, decreed as critical by education policymakers. This paper summarizes results from a study in a…

Many factors influence a student's performance in word (or textbook) problem solving in class. Among them is the comprehension process the pupils construct during their attempt to solve the problem. The comprehension process may include some less formal representations, based on pupils' real-world knowledge, which support the construction of a…

Written collaboratively by two former teaching partners, this paper details the journey taken by a team of teachers from a large southern Ontario school board as they completed an action research project during the 2008-2009 school year, in conjunction with ETFO and their Teachers Learning Together: A Math Journey initiative. This paper will…

Previous studies have shown that even preschoolers can solve inversion problems of the form a + b - b by using the knowledge that addition and subtraction are inverse operations. In this study, a new type of inversion problem of the form d x e [divided by] e was also examined. Grade 6 and 8 students solved inversion problems of both types as well…

Associations between reciprocal and complementary sibling interactions, sibling relationship quality, and children's socio-emotional problem solving were examined in 40 grade 5-6 children (M age = 11.5 years) from middle class, Caucasian, Canadian families using a multi-method approach (i.e. interviews, self-report questionnaires, daily diary…

This is a sample of the final test for students in mathematics at the sixth-grade level in Alberta (Canada) schools. The test contains multiple-choice items and is divided into two sections. Section 1 contains 55 items related to numeration, operations and properties, measurement, geometry graphing, and problem solving. Section 2 consists of five…

The performance-based assessment was developed to assess students' higher order thinking skills in real-life problem-solving situations in Alberta, Canada. These tasks assess aspects of science that cannot be measured easily by regular paper and pencil tests. The purpose of this document is to provide teachers, administrators, students, and…

This research was concerned with the clarification of the role that the external representation process (e.g. drawing) plays in children's solving of complex arithmetic problems. Fourteen children in the 10- to 12-year-old age range were asked to represent and solve five complex arithmetic problems (three with temporal organization of data, two…

The framework of the new British Columbia mathematics curriculum for grades 1-7 includes willingness to take risks and expanded tolerance of ambiguity as goals of mathematics learning. Two projects in Victoria (British Columbia) elementary schools explored ways to promote positive student attitudes toward mathematical tasks and problem solving.…

The purpose of this report is to explore an analysis of discussions, among groups of elementary school children, of a social problem. The intent of the research is to contribute to the advancement of methods for program and student assessment, particularly toward goals not usually evaluated by traditional testing programs. The analysis method used…

The overall social studies recommended program is described in SO 000 675. Here, the grade 4 program deals with the various racial and ethnic groups and the famous people who have contributed to the greatness of our country. The treatment is developed in a chronological historical sequence from the explorers and discoverers to the industrialists,…

The unit experiences for the K-12 curriculum, including these for grade 6, are outlined in SO 001 139. These units include the study of the culture, history, geography, and economics of regions of Latin American and Canada. Again, the emphasis for both grade 5 and grade 6 is twofold: 1) to know his American heritage, as well as to become aware of…

This document contains the second volume of the proceedings of the 29th Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education. Conference papers are centered around the theme of "Learners and Learning Environments." This volume features 43 research reports by presenters with last names beginning between Adl…