This teacher guide helps build a solid foundation in algebra for students in grades 3-5 in which students gain essential understanding of properties of numbers, variables, functions, equations, and formulas. Throughout the problem solving activities, students use computational skills and gain a deeper understanding of the number system. Students…

Takes the concept of using a geometrical or visual approach to teach algebraic concepts and extends it to connect with the section on binomial expansion by using three dimensional objects. (ASK)

Explains how number work in elementary school can be extended to prepare students for algebra. Suggests some practical strategies that focus on five aspects of number knowledge essential for algebra learning. (ASK)

Introduces the use of the game Battleship to study the system of equations and the distance formula. (ASK)

This paper consists of a learning unit for college algebra in which the problem presents three different payment plans for a tuition plan to pay for college expenses. The details of each payment plan are presented, each followed by several exercises so that comparisons of the results can be made across payment plans. (MM)

This book consists of a series of activities aimed at providing a problem solving, hands-on approach so that students can experience concepts in algebra. Topics include ratio and proportion, patterns and formulas, integers, polynomials, linear equations, graphs, and probability. The activities come in the form of reproducible blackline masters…

This book was written as a resource for middle and high school teachers hoping to ease their students' transition to algebra. Drawing on experiences with three professional development programs, key "habits of thinking" that characterize the successful learning and use of algebra are outlined. Strategies teachers can use to cultivate…

Describes a process for creating a more diverse set of experiences for undergraduate students in mathematics by focusing on linear algebra. Emphasizes that the diversity of the activities is generated in part through the use of a taxonomy that addresses the nature of the activities rather than a hierarchy of levels of difficulty. Contains 13…

Presents four related problems that provide examples of ways to include justifications of interesting mathematics in courses taught prior to a geometry course. (ASK)

Produces algebraic solutions by reducing the problems to equations and arithmetic solutions that do not use variables. Investigates how the arithmetic solution helps students better understand the problem before they approach it algebraically and how logic used in solving the problem arithmetically can be directly linked to the algebraic…

Presents and discusses examples that can be used to develop the concept of slope as a rate of change through three modes of learning: (1) visualization, (2) verbalization, and (3) symbolization. (ASK)

Active involvement and infusion of mathematics into familiar, everyday experiences are essential elements in challenging students to engage in true thinking. Presents an investigation on graphing that touches on all representations including tables of values, graphs, and verbal descriptions. (ASK)

Presents a method for introducing students to broken-line functions with unbroken domains. Concludes that a unit on broken-line functions should enhance students' understanding of the function concept. (ASK)

Describes teacher and student experiences in a college algebra course at a high school when assessment practices changed. (ASK)

Demonstrates that the equation of a circle (x-h)2 + (y-k)2 = r2 with center (h; k) and radius r reduces to a quadratic equation x2-2xh + (h2 + k2 -r2) = O at the intersection with the x-axis. Illustrates how to determine the center of a circle as well as a point on a circle. (Author/ASK)