Middle-school students were asked to determine the dimensions of a hotel atrium so that guests could enjoy the maximum area of scenic view, given that 650 feet of brass railing could be used around each floor. Several solution approaches are described. (MKR)

Describes an inquiry activity in which students explore the variables that influence the amount of time it takes a ball to roll down an inclined plane. Relates features of the activity to recommendations in the NCTM Standards. (MKR)

Hierarchical concept maps can be used to preview or review a topic, serve as a means of formal or informal assessment, promote classroom discourse, and provide a visual representation of mathematical connections. (MKR)

Discusses explorations that students can engage in using the interstate highway system. (MKR)

Tells a story written by a sixth-grade student to illustrate the various kinds of numbers encountered in elementary arithmetic. (MKR)

Describes John Snyder's current interest in mapping, provides worksheets for a student map-projection activity, and explains how maps have been used throughout history. (MKR)

Describes a three-week summer institute for middle school teachers in which they explored quantitative reasoning, the notion of variable, various algebraic concepts, and proportional reasoning. Activities included journal writing, field experience, and sharing time. (MKR)

The purpose of this lesson on classifying triangles is to aid students' discovery of the different characteristics of equilateral, isosceles, and scalene triangles through computer explorations using Geometric Supposer or GeoExplorer software. (MKR)