|
|
Article: A foundation for algebraic reasoning in the early grades.
- Article from:
- Teaching Children Mathematics
- Article date:
- February 1, 1997
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1997 National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
For many adults, algebra means solving systems of equations; finding the value of an unknown; using the quadratic formula; or otherwise working within a system of formulas, equations, and literal symbols. From this perspective, the suggestion that algebra should permeate the K-12 mathematics curriculum seems unreasonable and certainly indefensible if we take seriously that children should learn mathematics by making sense of things on the basis of their current mathematical understandings. Do we expect children in kindergarten and first grade to solve algebraic equations? If not, then what might it mean to suggest that algebraic thinking should be part of the mathematics ...