Algebra In Early Education

Sarama, J., & Clements, D. H. (2006). Mathematics in kindergarten. (61 ed., Vol. 5, p. 38). YC Young Children. Retrieved from http://media.proquest.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/media/pq/classic/doc/1129349361/fmt/pi/rep/NONE?hl=&cit:auth=Sarama, Julie;Clements, Douglas

What is the common core? “The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) defines the knowledge and skills in English language arts and mathematics that students need for success in college and careers upon high school graduation” (Santos, Darling-Hammond, Cheuk (2012)). The common core was created, “to provide clear academic benchmarks with more concise academic standards for essential learning that will prepare students to be college and career ready” (Liebtag, E. (2013)). The common core standards have then, been introduced and applied to most schools in the U.S, and although it may have its controversies, the major issue, is its effect on ELL (English Language Learners) students. “ELs currently constitute

Every day, mathematics is used in our lives. From playing sports or games to cooking, these activities require the use of mathematical concepts. For young children, mathematical learning opportunities are all around them. Knaus (2013) states that ‘Young children are naturally curious and eager to learn about their surroundings and the world they live in’ (pg.1). Children, young and old, and even adults, learn when they explore, play and investigate. By being actively involved, engaging in activities that are rich, meaningful, self-directed and offer problem solving opportunities, children given the chance to make connections with their world experiences (Yelland, Butler & Diezmann, 1999). As an educator of young children,

Van de Walle, J, Karp, K. S. & Bay-Williams, J. M. (2015). Elementary and Middle School Mathematics Teaching Developmentally. (9th ed.). England: Pearson Education Limited.

The Common Core standards are the newest ways of educating students. On the subject of this, in 2008, the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State and School Officers worked together to form the standards based off of feedback from educators. The Council of Chief State and School Officers includes individuals from the education departments of every state (Educational Standards and Curriculum). Regarding who had the ideas to create this curriculum, their intentions were to use the Common Core to create guidelines for

The Common Core is built around a national set of standards. Governors and state commissioners of education from the 48 states through the membership in the National Governors Association Center and the Council of Chief State School Officers wrote the standards. The Common Core Standards were first discussed in 2007. The standards were then finally released in 2009 for grades Kindergarten through 12th

From birth, it is important for practitioners to support the early years’ mathematical development. Children learn emergent maths which is a “term used to describe children construct mathematics from birth” (Geist, 2010). The Early Years Statuary Frameworks (EYFS) (Department of Education) states that maths is one of the specific areas.

On the other hand, according to NCTM members, college algebra needs to be implemented in the school system. Their Standards show that “mathematical power” is required in order for students to perform effectively in a “variety of authentic settings” (Steen 1992). Algebra looked upon from a student perspective is known as a problem solving skill meaning a process to seek solutions to certain problems give. However, looking at algebra from a broad approach we notice that it is very similar to human stages which are considered to be a baby crawling, walking, and then being able to run. In order to understand what algebra is we must first look at a problem given to us understand what the problem is, question ourselves to what is given, and then realize the conditions that are presented which then helps us plan our strategy to solve a problem. This approach is useful not only in mathematics, but in other concepts such as in science. In algebra, logical thinking is used this is to make sense or make connections of a problem in order to find a solution. Algebra is known to be a part of mathematics that includes general letters and symbols to represent numbers that can be formulated and found by solving equations. Some students fail to build a solid foundation in mathematics which is why they are unprepared for college and for work. As future math teachers, we must encourage students to understand the concept behind college algebra which will help them excel in their future.

There was a time when teachers were allowed to teach however they saw fit. Anyway they felt would help the student to make things easier. In just years later, one thing would change it all. It was in 2009 when the state leaders including governors and state commissioners would launch Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Common Core sets high academic standards in Mathematics and English Language. This system provides clarity and consistency, focuses on building blocks of learning, and prepares students to succeed in the 21st century.

Geometry and Algebra are so crucial to the development of the world it is taught to every public high school in the United States, around 14.8 million teenagers each year (National Center for Education Statistics). Mathematics is the engine powering our world; our stocks, economy, technology, and science are all based off from math. Math is our universal and definite language “I was especially delighted with the mathematics, on account of the certitude and evidence of their reasonings.” (Rene Descartes, 1637).

I also like algebra and I am working on my final paper about the early education of algebra. Historically, the study of algebra begins from 8th grade or from high school. Which creates many difficulties for most of the students in understanding the algebra. A lot of research has been done on the early education of algebra. Studies shows that if the education of algebra begins early from elementary school. It would help to develop the algebraic thoughts in students.

Algebra is a critical aspect of mathematics which provides the means to calculate unknown values. According to Bednarz, Kieran and Lee (as cited in Chick & Harris, 2007), there are three basic concepts of simple algebra: the generalisation of patterns, the understanding of numerical laws and functional situations. The understanding of these concepts by children will have an enormous bearing on their future mathematical capacity. However, conveying these algebraic concepts to children can be difficult due to the abstract symbolic nature of the math that will initially be foreign to the children. Furthermore, each child’s ability to recall learned numerical laws is vital to their proficiency in problem solving and mathematical confidence. It is obvious that teaching algebra is not a simple task. Therefore, the importance of quality early exposure to fundamental algebraic concepts is of significant importance to allow all

A Year in the Life of an Elementary School: One School's Experiences in Meeting New Mathematics Standards

(Lakin, 2011). Algebra can be an area of mathematics you don’t realise you use until you understand it further, for instance I felt I had not used algebra since leaving high school. Where I have used it many times from doing grocery shopping for example buying 5 orange juices at $3.48 each, I could then write a formula in my head J x 3.48=Y and filling my car up with fuel at 1 liter of fuel is $0.89c, I need 20L of fuel. So the sum would be L x 0.89c x 20 = Y, or if not knowing the price of fuel L x Y x 20= 17.80. Lakin (2011) calls this creating a formula using symbols. During schooling I didn’t not understand algebra at all which made me quite nervous when looking in to this area. It was not explained well enough for me to realise it was not as complex as what I thought it to be. After reading through Lakin (2011), researched meanings and undertaking tasks on MyMathLab, Mathspace and explained by my tutor my knowledge grew and I became more confident. With activities from our units weekly tasks of What I Know About and Thinking Time Problem as seen in Appendix A, doing these tasks made me understand what the term algebra meant when using it mathematics. And found doing the TTP in appendix J more easier to understand when using X and Y as symbols for the unknown numbers. I found algebra to be intriguing and an area of

Mathematics, like every creation of man, have evolved without really knowing how far you can get with them: the scope of the computer, physics, chemistry, algebra, all are evidence of this. Every aspect of our culture is based in some way or another in Mathematics: language, music, dance, art, sculpture, architecture, biology, daily life. All these areas of measurements and calculations are accurate. Even in nature, everything follows a precise pattern and a precise order: a flower, a shell, a butterfly, day and night, the seasons. All this makes mathematics essential for human life and they can not be limited only to a matter within the school curriculum; here lies the importance of teaching math in a pleasure, enjoyable and understandable way. Mathematics is an aid to the development of the child and should be seen as an aid to life and not as an obstacle in their lifes.