Algebraic Thinking: An Opportunity For Growth

Algebra is a common weak spot for test takers. From high school subject area testing and GED prep to ACT and Praxis Core planning, many students struggle to grasp concepts. Fortunately, algebraic thinking is introduced as early as kindergarten in settings where Common Core Math Standards guides learning. Other popular curricula that emphasize algebraic thinking early on include Saxon Math and K5 Learning.

Whether enrolled in school, participating in a home school program, exploring the unschooling spectrum, or preparing for post-secondary testing, there are many study tools available. As with many difficult tasks - like me learning to cook - seeking independent practice opportunity positions learners for success. When educators and family members prompt students to complete homework and provide supplemental learning activities, such as games, worksheets, and books, we model success strategies.

First thoughts may sound something like this.... I hate math; I'm not good in math; Algebra is my worst subject; I just don't get it. These are normal and (it pains me to say) acceptable. Though I love math, algebraic reasoning has not been taught to some in a way that triggers excitement. Nonetheless, learners need to see you trying. They need to see you reading and practicing and failing and overcoming.

Tap into free resources. Even many of the fee-based tools offer free trials. I'm talking about truly, no-credit-card-needed free trials. One of my favorite websites for math worksheets is Math-Aids. I often use Math-Aids dynamic Algebra worksheets to help learners during tutoring as well as reinforce learning at home. I often find that educators are using Math-Aids worksheets for these same reasons.

Popular algebraic concepts covered by the Math-Aids worksheet generator include:

• Domain and Range
• Inequalities
• Quadratic Functions
• Systems of Equations

Worksheets guided this student-centered experience.

As I shared in last month's post on place value and operations in base ten, hands-on learning is the best learning. Whenever possible, playing games and using colorful manipulatives is ideal. Having tangible tools used to model math concepts and practice problems hooks learners in a way that immediately influences their mental state. Learning algebra becomes less gruesome when we add context and meaning to standards. Performance inevitably improves.

An awesome tool from Assessment Services Inc. helped one high schooler transition his focus from resisting Algebra and misbehaving to having fun during tutoring sessions. Algebra Tiles for Your Classroom should be in every learning environment designed to meet the needs of math learners - not just in classrooms. Algebra Tiles comes with a booklet that introduces learners to integers and represents variables and equations using unforgettable visuals that are fun to compose and decompose. It is a tool for learners of all ages. This 9th grader began to have fun thinking, learning, talking about math. He learned to enjoy the  journey and embrace failures through play, a not-so-novel concept that we forget to include in math lessons. 

Jackson Education Support (JE) offers fun and engaging learning experiences to learners of a ages. Specialty subjects include literacy, math, and science. Each experience is personalized to meet individual and organizational need. Read feedback and learn more by visiting je411.com.

Operations in Base Ten: Place Value Blocks

Much of the nation concurs Common Core Math Standards is a useful tool for educating young people. The goal is that students develop greater depth of knowledge in mathematics early on. Challenging students in earlier years often challenges parents and educators as well.

Beginning in kindergarten, the math standards encourage exploration of operations in base ten. This means elementary students should be able to demonstrate understanding of place value. To name a few ways, learners who master place value standards can...

• use objects or drawings to compose and decompose numbers based on place value.
• use symbols to compare numbers based on place value.
• read, write, and represent a number of objects using base ten numbers and expanded form.
• fluently add and subtract using place value strategies. 

In my experience, students are equally bored with reading about place value concepts as adults. Learners of all ages enjoy hands-on experiences. They want to touch and feel concepts of composition, decomposition, comparison, and so on. A free, two-dimensional solution involves printing Base Ten Tools offered by fellow Teachers Pay Teachers seller, Heather Ayers. The only types of resources having greater potential for student engagement are three-dimensional manipulatives like Assessment Services Hands-on Base Ten Blocks.

When the stage is set for hands-on activities, anticipation and excitement build as students enter the learning environment. Eyes widen. Smiles spread. Spirit fingers ripple. Math manipulatives hook learners in a way that changes their mental state immediately. Hands-on learning adds context and meaning to standards. Students interact with content as oppose to simply absorbing (and usually forgetting) humdrum theory and examples. This is especially true for young students with fleeting attention spans. For instance, identifying patterns and skip counting are challenging concepts for elementary students. With a little guidance and think time (or wait time), one client made new connections using place value blocks.

Jackson Education Support offers hands-on experiences to learners of all ages. Specialty subjects include literacy, math, and science. One-on-one and small group support options available. Visit je411.com to learn more.