Early Algebra Home

Early Algebra is an approach to early mathematics teaching and learning. It includes many topics in arithmetic, such as the four operations, but it does so in novel ways. Consider the operation of addition. By second grade most students know how to add 3 to another number. But they probably have not been asked to consider expressions such as "n n +3", where n might refer to any number. As surprising as it may seem, we are finding that young learners from typical public schools can understand such expressions and use them to describe relations among numbers and quantities. In doing so they go beyond computational fluency: they begin to develop the ability to make mathematical generalizations using algebraic notation.

Early algebra does not aim to increase the amount of mathematics students must learn. Rather, it is about teaching time-honored topics of early mathematics in deeper, more challenging ways. We have good reason to suspect that children who become familiar with algebraic concepts and tools from an early age and in meaningful contexts will do better in mathematics, regardless of the criteria used.

Early Algebra is also an area of research. The research from our project and others should help to clarify what works and what does not work. But more importantly, it should help to clarify the issues young learners inevitably face when they attempt to apply their present modes of representation and reasoning to new circumstances--and to reconcile their prior knowledge and experience with new ideas and concepts being introduced in Mathematics classes. And it should help to identify fruitful types of learning activities for educators and curriculum developers.

Teachers from 1–6 can use it to begin to "algebrafy" their arithmetic classes, preparing their students for topics that are normally dealt with much later in the curriculum. They can also find out what research shows young children are capable of learning.

Parents can use this site to understand what early algebra is all about and to form their own judgments about what it means for their children's education.

Researchers can use it as a gateway to research articles and ideas in early algebra.

Policy makers and administrators can use it to understand one of the important new directions in mathematics education.

Curriculum developers can use it to help them develop ideas for classroom activities and texts that move beyond drill and practice, anticipating advanced ideas in mathematics: functions, variation, equations, and so forth.





						So What is Early Algebra? Early Algebra is an approach to early mathematics teaching and learning. It includes many topics in arithmetic, such as the four operations, but it does so in novel ways. Consider the operation of addition. By second grade most students know how to add 3 to another number. But they probably have not been asked to consider expressions such as "n n +3", where n might refer to any number. As surprising as it may seem, we are finding that young learners from typical public schools can understand such expressions and use them to describe relations among numbers and quantities. In doing so they go beyond computational fluency: they begin to develop the ability to make mathematical generalizations using algebraic notation. Early algebra does not aim to increase the amount of mathematics students must learn. Rather, it is about teaching time-honored topics of early mathematics in deeper, more challenging ways. We have good reason to suspect that children who become familiar with algebraic concepts and tools from an early age and in meaningful contexts will do better in mathematics, regardless of the criteria used. Early Algebra is also an area of research. The research from our project and others should help to clarify what works and what does not work. But more importantly, it should help to clarify the issues young learners inevitably face when they attempt to apply their present modes of representation and reasoning to new circumstances--and to reconcile their prior knowledge and experience with new ideas and concepts being introduced in Mathematics classes. And it should help to identify fruitful types of learning activities for educators and curriculum developers. Teachers from 1–6 can use it to begin to "algebrafy" their arithmetic classes, preparing their students for topics that are normally dealt with much later in the curriculum. They can also find out what research shows young children are capable of learning. Parents can use this site to understand what early algebra is all about and to form their own judgments about what it means for their children's education. Researchers can use it as a gateway to research articles and ideas in early algebra. Policy makers and administrators can use it to understand one of the important new directions in mathematics education. Curriculum developers can use it to help them develop ideas for classroom activities and texts that move beyond drill and practice, anticipating advanced ideas in mathematics: functions, variation, equations, and so forth.