Connect students directly to the concept in a personal way. Capture students' attention by initiating a group problem-solving activity before delivery of instruction. Begin with a situation that is familiar to students and builds on what they already know. Construct a learning experience that allows diverse and personal student responses. Facilitate the work of cooperative teams of students.

Number systems experience

Objective: To interest students in the various numbering systems and in translations.

Activity: 1) Break students into groups of four or five. Ask students to imagine they are system programmers employed by IBM, they are 30 years old, and they are on a company trip to Europe. Using chart paper and markers, brainstorm and write the different numbering systems (bases) they might encounter during the trip. Examples: U.S. money is base 10 (decimal). The clock at the airport is base 60. Gasoline is in liters. Mileage is kilometers, etc. 2) Speak to the students in a combination of Spanish and Pig Latin: "Buenos Dias, Amigos. e-wa are earning-la about ecimal-da, inary-ba, and exi-ha ecimal-da, etc."

Assessment: Students curiosity and reaction to teacher behavior.