One of the most significant steps in learning algebra is understanding the change in the role of letters in mathematical expressions from unknowns to variables. We describe the historical development of this change in usage, starting with the ancient use of mathematical unknowns, detailing several important changes in practice that allowed for the…

Preparing teacher candidates for their roles in 21st century schools calls for direct experiences with inquisitive, linguistically diverse, and often technologically savvy students across global and economic contexts. This article presents the lessons learned from a practicum experience during a semester abroad in Italy, where faculty, teacher…

The authors describe how alphabet books teach so much more than just the ABCs. They provide excellent resources, allowing teachers to link and integrate the reciprocal processes of reading and writing. Encapsulated within the writing workshop framework, the authors use multigenre and multicultural alphabet books as anchor texts for a literacy…