We encourage students to read in other disciplines, but mathematics has traditionally been manipulation of symbols. I think that students should be encouraged to read mathematics articles, write journals, and keep portfolios of their work. Communication is the link to everything. If we cannot communicate what we know and learn, it is not very useful. I think that students need more chances to use estimation skills, so that when they find a solution to a problem, they can decide whether it is reasonable.
Estimation is an important everyday life skill.
Driving, shopping, cooking, and other everyday activities involve estimation. Students would be well served to see more of it in school. I think that it could be motivational for students to study historical topics in mathematics. Study of ancient number systems can give students new arithmetic tools and a deeper understanding of numbers. Study of historical events that led to the development of the common mathematics that we use could reveal to students the usefulness of mathematics.