Understanding Student Thinking in Algebra Relational Thinking Revisit

Understanding Student Thinking in Algebra Relational Thinking

Revisit Accountability Piece ¡ “Fostering Relational Thinking While Negotiating The Meaning of the Equal Sign”

Problem-solving Activity ¡ Rachel’s age

Outcomes for this session Develop an understanding of the concept of relational thinking ¡ Consider how to encourage student to develop and engage in relational thinking. ¡

What is Relational Thinking? ¡ Looking at expressions and equations in their entirety rather than as procedures to be carried out step-by-step

BIG IDEA’s Relational Thinking

Purpose for Relational Thinking See handout

Take out handout titled “Introduction to Relational Thinking” Solve individually ¡ Share with your partner ¡ Share with your table ¡ Share on strategy ¡ 10 minutes ¡

Video Clip 2. 2 ¡ Good example of “Relational Thinking” 8: 34 minutes in length

Video Clip 2. 1 Emma Problems ¡ ¡ ¡ Watch as a child learns to use relational thinking to reason about number sentences. Write down strategies that Emma used on the handout provided Listen to questions the teacher asks Think about how you as a teacher could encourage children to look for relationships? 18 minutes in length

Challenge Problem on Page 41 With your table try to think of at least two ways that students might solve this problem using relational thinking ¡ Record your problem and the solution strategies you used ¡ 30 minutes ¡

Video Clip 2. 4 and 2. 5 Solve this problem before we watch the students 47 + 56 = 45 + 58 94 + 68 = 95 + 64 + ___ ¡ ¡ A teacher poses this problem to five fourth graders. Three different strategies are shared. Children are very clear in explaining their strategies. Record thinking on handout provided What type of problem does the teacher use? 20 minutes in length

Writing Our Own Number Sentences to Encourage Students to Use Relational Thinking Grade Levels (K-1, 2 -3, 4 -5) ¡ Use Emma’s problems as examples ¡ Use relationships that are more complex for older students while retaining the relationship structure and not “tricky” computation. ¡ Post on chart paper ¡ 20 minutes ¡

Homework Understanding the Properties of Arithmetic-A Prerequisite for Success in Algebra ¡ Use number sentences in your classroom and continue to visit and revisit ¡ Bring back examples and be ready to share how the students did ¡