Teaching and Learning a New Algebra with Understanding.

Abstract

This paper suggests a route to deep, long-term algebra reform that begins not with more new approaches but with elementary school teachers and the reform efforts that currently exist. This route involves generalization and expression of that generality using increasingly formal languages, beginning with arithmetic, modeling situations, geometry, and virtually all mathematics that can or should appear in the elementary grades. This route involves infusing algebra throughout the mathematics curriculum from the very beginning. A model of this approach, suggestions, and examples are provided. (Contains 10 references.) (CCM) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.