Problem Solving in Mathematics (PSM), a program of problem-solving lessons for grades 4-9, is designed to be integrated into the regular mathematics curriculum. Although the content objectives of the lessons are similar to those of most textbooks, PSM emphasizes problem-solving skills and a variety of instructional strategies which foster the…

Many elementary classroom science programs in North America have incorporated what is called design technology, design and technology, technology, technological problem-solving, and/or problem-solving through technology. Design technology involves designing and making products to meet some need, and is directly concerned with the individual's…

The achievement of bilingualism appears to have positive consequences for the bilingual child, enhancing universal aspects of cognitive functioning available to all normal children. However, little is yet known about the interaction between educational treatment and the input factors the bilingual child brings to the situation. Focusing on the…

In this study preschool, first grade, and sixth grade children played games which assessed ratio-proportionality ability, thought to be a precursor to proportionality ability, thought to be a precursor to equity allocations. The 48 children (eight boys and eight girls from each grade) played a game with one train which had six cars and one train…

The effects of a systematic guidance program upon school attitudes of potential dropouts in grade six of one elementary school in the northeast section of Washington, D.C. were assessed. The major findings from the data analysis showed significant differences in the pre- and post-test scores of the 15 students in the experimental group and the 15…

Describes an evaluation of the added value of skills methods for preventing smoking with sixth-grade students from two schools. Skills conditions subjects learned problem-solving, self-instruction, and interpersonal communication methods. The article discusses the strengths, limits, and implications of the study for other smoking prevention…

The study reported in this paper is an attempt to develop a comprehensive model of measuring problem solving and posing (PSP) skills based on Marshall's schema theory (ST). A battery of tests on PSP skills was administered to 5th and 6th grade Cypriot students (n=2519). The Rasch model was used and a scale was created for the battery of tests and…

Theories of development in childhood maintain that equality plays an important role in peer interactions during middle childhood. One particular situation that can provoke problems is the request for help. Helping is not an easy situation because an individual's need for something creates an imbalance which children try to avoid. This study…

Describes some of the ways early adolescents respond to reading and thinking tasks and details the development of procedures for observing and analyzing children as they complete such tasks. (FL)

Cognitive and metacognitive demands of initial information gathering for elementary school research assignments were studied for 23 6th graders during think-aloud/concurrent interviews. Results support the view that information retrieval and use in libraries is a problem solving task requiring flexible application of various forms of knowledge.…

Interviewers asked (n=10) 6th- and (n=10) 10th-grade students to solve nonroutine number problems. Task analysis of perseverers, those students who continued after reaching "dead-ends," found that students who were ultimately successful were more inclined to be flexible in their strategies. (28 references) (MKR)

In this interdisciplinary unit for grade six, kids' natural fascination with heroes is channeled to a consideration of the values and actions needed to solve global problems. Students are exposed to positive, nonviolent role models, creative thinking, problem solving, and creating artwork that expresses thoughts on environmental issues. (LZ)

Discusses how students generate meanings for mathematical word problems, develops a generative predicational model to account for students' comprehension of word problems, and describes an empirical study of Israeli sixth graders that was designed to test the model. Talk aloud protocols of the students are analyzed, and hypotheses tested are…

At a middle school in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, administrators and teachers used the cognitive domain of the National Association of Secondary School Principals' Learning Style Profile to design "products" that helped compensate for underachieving sixth and seventh graders' skill deficits in mathematics and science. Success…

Describes an instructional program designed to promote scientific literacy among middle grade students. The program used a collaborative group instruction approach and focused on the development of tasks that provided students with opportunities to solve problems and to employ concepts useful to scientific problem solving. (PAM)