This article presents the results of a 7th-grade classroom teaching experiment that supported students' understanding of integer addition and subtraction. The experiment was conducted to test and revise a hypothetical learning trajectory so as to propose a potential instructional theory for integer addition and subtraction. The instructional…

Two studies examine preschool children's knowledge of the effects of the physical processes of addition and subtraction on the relative amounts of two sets. Results indicate that most preschool children discover the nature of addition and subtraction outside of their formal education and rather than having to teach these ideas, teachers can use…

Investigates the effect of mental schemes corresponding to additive and multiplicative situations in the process of interpreting and solving problems. Classifies relative difficulties of problems according to their situations which are considered through a written test administered to pupils in grades 2, 3, and 4. Supports the assumption that…

Third- and fourth-grade students (n=401) were taught problem solving through structure-plus-writing, heuristics, or no explicit instruction. The structure-plus-writing group outperformed the heuristics group, and the gap widened 10 weeks after the treatment. Includes sample student-authored problems. (MKR)

Report provides new data concerning children's accuracy as measured by previous studies and clarifies progress of first graders during entire year on difficult single-digit addition and subtraction problems. Discussion focuses on advantages of an adding on interpretation of subtraction and the importance of emphasizing conceptual understanding…

A study asked 24 first grade children from 3 different classes to write number sentences and select appropriate alternative number sentences for addition and subtraction word problems. Results indicated that children could be characterized into five clusters according to their flexibility in accepting alternative number sentences and that…

Compares two experimental programs for teaching mental addition and subtraction in the Dutch second grade (N=275). Discusses realistic program design (RPD) and gradual program design (GPD). Concludes that RPD pupils show a more varied use of solution procedures than GPD pupils. Contains 46 references. (Author/ASK)

Investigates issues of conceptual understanding in teaching and learning mathematics provided conceptually based instruction on place value and two-digit addition and subtraction without regrouping in four first grade classrooms. Conventional textbook-based instruction was provided in two first grade classrooms. Experimental-group students scored…

Presents a three-year longitudinal study investigating the development of children's (n=82) understanding of multidigit number concepts and operations in grades one through three by using interview processes. Provides an existence proof that children can invent strategies for adding and subtracting and illustrates both what that invention affords…

Thirty-six Korean first graders were interviewed to study their ability solving addition problems with sums of 10, single-digit sums between 10 and 18, and subtraction problems with minuends between 10 and 18. Finger methods to show sums over 10 and the regular named-10 Korean number words supported their learning of 3 efficient recomposition…