Art Johnson, Kit Norris
The history of the metric system,
from a proposal of a sixteenth-century mathematician to its implementation in
Revolutionary France some 200 years later. Recent developments in the metric
system are discussed, along with where the United States stands on officially
adopting the metric system.
Sally Roberts, Carla Tayeh
How metacognitive skills contribute
to the teaching and learning of problem solving in mathematics. Teacher
candidates kept metacognitive journals while solving math problems. Excerpts
from the journals are used to show how the teacher candidates improved problem
solving skills by becoming aware of their problem solving strengths and
weaknesses.
Kathy Hawes
How to use error analysis to expand student's mathematically reasoning
skills. Four error analysis activities are described based on the topic of
solving equations, but the activities can be used for a wide range of topics.
Susan Taber
How the story of
Alice in Wonderland
helps students understand the operation of multiplying by a rational number less than 1 and related aspects of ratio and proportion. Activity sheets are included as well as guidelines on how to use the novel as a cross curricular activity.
Charles Reeves, Rosemarie Reeves Gleichowski
Various versions of the traditional
game of Nim and demonstrations of how working backward can be used to find a winning
strategy. The link is then made between working backward and using inverse
operation to solve equations. Other problems are presented in which students
can use their developed skills of working backwards.
Laura Moss, Barbara Grover
Using two real-world situations, this
article describes in detail how the use of basic calculators can be the basis
for an instructional strategy. Student worksheets are provided that require
student to first estimate, then record the calculator key strokes used to
arrive at their answer. By completing this activity, students will explore the
fraction, decimal, percent relationships as well as explore the meaning of the
remainder in division. Additional real-world situations are provided.
David Pagni
Investigative activities to assist
students in constructing area formulas by partitioning geometric shapes on dot
paper. Formulas are found in square units and triangular units (on isometric
dot paper). Algebraic concepts are used to relate the triangular unit to the
square unit and compare formula's for both units.
Howard Fehr
Research done on the rate at which students learn at various ages.
Research done on motivating students is also included. This article is
reprinted from Mathematics Teacher 49 (April 1956).