This collection of 20 essays by 21 authors presents teaching methods and resource material promoting productive school experiences for American Indian students. The chapters are organized into five sections. The opening chapter of section 1 emphasizes that teachers must understand and respect the cultures and backgrounds of their students, an…

We often evaluate student thinking and their work from a deficit point of view, particularly in mathematics, where many teachers have been taught that their role is to diagnose and eradicate students' misconceptions. But what if instead of focusing on what students don't know or haven't mastered, we identify their mathematical strengths and build…

Discussed is a constructivist view of mathematics education. The basic tenets and goals are described. The role of the student and teacher are highlighted. The constructivist and traditional views of instruction are compared and contrasted. (KR)

Presents three problems that help students develop a repertoire of heuristics and persistence in problem solving: the water-jug problem; the missionaries-and-cannibals problem; and the census-taker problem. Discusses methods to encourage students to persist. (MDH)