Algebra and the Elementary Classroom: Transforming Thinking, Transforming Practice
Maria Blanton
Heinemann Publishers. Portsmouth, NH. 2008
Summary
Algebra in the Elementary Classroom provides the support we need as teachers to embed the development of students鈥� algebraic thinking in the teaching of elementary school.
鈥擬egan Loef Franke,
Coauthor of Children鈥檚 Mathematics and Thinking Mathematically
How do you start students down the road to mathematical understanding? By laying the foundation for algebra in the elementary grades.
Algebra and the Elementary Classroom shares ideas, tasks, and practices for integrating algebraic thinking into your teaching. Through research-based and classroom-tested strategies, it demonstrates how to use materials you have on hand to prepare students for formal algebra instruction鈥攚ithout adding to your overstuffed curriculum. You鈥檒l find ways to:
- introduce algebraic thinking聽through familiar arithmetical contexts
- nurture it聽by helping students think about, represent, and build arguments for their mathematical ideas
- develop it聽by exploring mathematical structures and functional relationships
- strengthen it聽by asking students to make algebraic connections across the curriculum
- reinforce it across the grades through a school-wide initiative.
No matter what your math background is, Algebra and the Elementary Classroom聽offers strong support for integrating algebraic thinking into your daily teaching. Its clear descriptions show you what algebraic thinking is and how to teach it. Its sample problems deepen your own algebraic thinking. Best of all, it gives you ideas for grade-specific instructional planning.
Read Algebra and the Elementary Classroom and prepare your students for a lifetime of mathematical understanding.
