Relying on the students' cultural background to teach mathematics may be a strong incitement for the learning process. This background can include artistic creations, items from the news, among others. Because of the strong presence of space related news (in particular the almost simultaneous launching of three spacecrafts towards Mars), we…

This book provides a landscape of learning that helps teachers recognize, support, and celebrate their students' capacity to structure their worlds algebraically. It identifies the models, contexts, and landmarks that facilitate algebraic thinking in young students and provides insightful and practical methods for teachers, math supervisors, and…

Invites students to try magic-number tricks and discover how and why they work. (Author)

This article describes a hands-on activity in which students convert decimals to fractions, measure, make scale drawings, use algebraic formulas, and use visualization to construct a three-dimensional physical model of a portion of the seafloor. In the process, they learn about sound, speed, and ocean exploration. (Contains 2 figures.)

Suggests ways early years educators can begin teaching young children to think algebraically and prepare them for success in algebra. Focuses on ways to promote mathematical patterns, mathematical situations and structures, models of quantitative relationship, and change. Describes how first-graders used real object representations to better…

This article describes a set of learning activities that use algebraic problems and written student work to help preservice and in-service teachers understand students' algebraic thinking. (Contains 4 figures.)

The first volume of the 29th annual conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education contains plenary lecture and research forum papers as listed below. Short oral communications papers, poster presentations, brief summaries of discussion groups, and working sessions are also included in the volume. The plenary…