Building Block Research Paper

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

Anghileri, J. (2006). Children's mathematical thinking in the primary years perspectives on children's learning (Repr. 2006. ed.). London: Continuum.

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.

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,

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

During the Foundation Phase, children develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of mathematics through oral, practical and play activities. In our setting children`s mathematical development is supported by different activities. Children are encouraged to develop their understanding of measurement units, investigate the properties of shapes and develop early ideas of reasoning and basic mathematical procedures through practical opportunities. These opportunities include cooking, exploring and counting activities.

The Basic Building Blocks program states that six preschool and kindergarten classrooms will be selected to test out the new program. The program requires children to work alone at their desks for two hours every morning with math activities and two hours every afternoon with literacy activities.

You need to be able to use different strategies and resources in order to develop mathematical skills in young children, you can do this through focused activities as well as using the learning environment to stimulate children’s learning.

Block play areas are important to children’s learning in different ways, because it gives children the opportunity to develop in their developmental domains, such as social, physical, intellectual, creativity, and emotional. When children are playing in the block play area they are able to be mighty learners that are strong, capable, and resourceful. As they are being mighty learners they will display dispositions to learn and holistic play-based goals within their block play. In block play areas they offer a variety of different materials such as unit blocks, hollow blocks, natural wood pieces, soft blocks, foam blocks, Lego, and different magnetic shapes to build.

Children at this age also have different skills related to numeracy. Fostering numeracy skills in early childhood education not only predicts for later Math achievement but also for greater literacy skills (NAEYC, 2009). Since mathematical concepts are often intertwined with so many areas such as science, literacy, dramatic play, block building, and more, math learning centers offering interdisciplinary materials and activities ensure that young children grow to understand and appreciate the real life applications of mathematical concepts (Fu, 2010).

Multiplicative thinking, fractions and decimals are important aspects of mathematics required for a deep conceptual understanding. The following portfolio will discuss the key ideas of each and the strategies to enable positive teaching. It will highlight certain difficulties and misconceptions that children face and discuss resources and activities to help alleviate these. It will also acknowledge the connections between the areas of mathematics and discuss the need for succinct teaching instead of an isolated approach.

Maths is ubiquitous in our lives, but depending on the learning received as a child it could inspire or frighten. If a child has a negative experience in mathematics, that experience has the ability to affect his/her attitude toward mathematics as an adult. Solso (2009) explains that math has the ability to confuse, frighten, and frustrate learners of all ages; Math also has the ability to inspire, encourage and achieve. Almost all daily activities include some form of mathematical procedure, whether people are aware of it or not. Possessing a solid learning foundation for math is vital to ensure a lifelong understanding of math. This essay will discuss why it is crucial to develop in children the ability to tackle problems with initiative and confidence (Anghileri, 2006, p. 2) and why mathematics has changed from careful rehearsal of standard procedures to a focus on mathematical thinking and communication to prepare them for the world of tomorrow (Anghileri).

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.

Mathematics is defined as "the abstract science of number, quantity, and space", and to many individuals, this definition is very black and white (Definition of mathematics in English by Oxford Dictionaries). Copious people do not like mathematics, as they do not have an appreciation for it. Before I took this class, I had a much narrower understanding and weaker background on mathematics due to how I was taught these topics throughout my time in primary schooling. After taking The Joy of Mathematics, this course has significantly affected my appreciation of mathematics in general application and in terms of its history and importance in our world.

My feelings and beliefs towards and about maths were certainly impacted by my experiences during my time at school. In my last year of schooling I did not enjoy my maths class, which overall came down to the teacher and her style of teaching, which made me look and feel negatively towards maths. In saying this though, throughout school I was always good at maths and enjoyed it. Hence my feelings towards primary school and ‘simple’ maths compared to high school maths. In saying this though, I do enjoy maths most of the time, but just with anything if it gets too hard and you aren’t being taught properly you start to not enjoy it which was the case with me. The