Subject: Kaput Center Symposium: Dr. Maria Blanton, Senior Scientist at TERC in Cambridge, MA Can Young Children Think Algebraically?
When: Wednesday,
February 21, 2018
4:00 PM
-
5:30 PM
Where: > See description for location
Description: Subject: Kaput Center Symposium: Dr. Maria Blanton, Senior Scientist at TERC in Cambridge, MA
Can Young Children Think Algebraically?
Abstract: Since Jim Kaput (and others) began advocating over two decades ago that teaching and learning algebra needed to begin in elementary grades, the national discourse on school algebra has shifted significantly, resulting in recent learning standards that codify this approach in elementary grades mathematics. But what is the evidence that this approach is valid? Can children in elementary grades think algebraically? In Project LEAP, our goal has been to build on Kaput's algebra framework to design a broad curricular approach to algebra instruction in elementary grades that examines these critical questions. In this presentation, I will explore our evidence for the nature of children's algebraic thinking across Grades K to 5. Our findings, along with the curricular approach that gives rise to them, help build out Kaput's vision of early algebra and his desire to 'democratize access' to mathematics for all students.
Biography: Maria Blanton is a Senior Scientist at TERC in Cambridge, MA. Prior to joining TERC, she was a Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Her primary research interests include teaching and learning algebra in the elementary grades and classroom practices that support building mathematical arguments. Her research has led to about $13M in federally-funded projects and numerous national and international presentations and publications (in, e.g., Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, Educational Studies in Mathematics, Mathematical Thinking and Learning, Cognition and Instruction, Teaching Children Mathematics). She is co-editor of the research volumes Algebra in the Early Grades (2008, Taylor/Francis) and Teaching and Learning Proof Across the Grades (2009, Routledge), author of Algebra and the Elementary Classroom: Transforming Thinking, Transforming Practice (2008, Heinemann), and co-author of Developing Essential Understanding of Algebraic Thinking for Teaching Mathematics in Grades 3 to 5 (2011, NCTM) and Teaching with Mathematical Argument: Strategies for Supporting Everyday Instruction (Heinemann, 2018). She has served as Chair of the Editorial Panel for the Journal for Research in Mathematics Education and Chair of the Special Interest Group for Research in Mathematics Education (SIG-RME) of AERA.
When: Wednesday, February 21, 4-5:30 PM
Where: Room 157 at the Kaput Center for Research and Innovation in STEM Education, 200 Mill Road, Suite 150A, Fairhaven MA 02719
If you have any questions, please send an email to kaputcenter@umassd.edu
Can Young Children Think Algebraically?
Abstract: Since Jim Kaput (and others) began advocating over two decades ago that teaching and learning algebra needed to begin in elementary grades, the national discourse on school algebra has shifted significantly, resulting in recent learning standards that codify this approach in elementary grades mathematics. But what is the evidence that this approach is valid? Can children in elementary grades think algebraically? In Project LEAP, our goal has been to build on Kaput's algebra framework to design a broad curricular approach to algebra instruction in elementary grades that examines these critical questions. In this presentation, I will explore our evidence for the nature of children's algebraic thinking across Grades K to 5. Our findings, along with the curricular approach that gives rise to them, help build out Kaput's vision of early algebra and his desire to 'democratize access' to mathematics for all students.
Biography: Maria Blanton is a Senior Scientist at TERC in Cambridge, MA. Prior to joining TERC, she was a Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Her primary research interests include teaching and learning algebra in the elementary grades and classroom practices that support building mathematical arguments. Her research has led to about $13M in federally-funded projects and numerous national and international presentations and publications (in, e.g., Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, Educational Studies in Mathematics, Mathematical Thinking and Learning, Cognition and Instruction, Teaching Children Mathematics). She is co-editor of the research volumes Algebra in the Early Grades (2008, Taylor/Francis) and Teaching and Learning Proof Across the Grades (2009, Routledge), author of Algebra and the Elementary Classroom: Transforming Thinking, Transforming Practice (2008, Heinemann), and co-author of Developing Essential Understanding of Algebraic Thinking for Teaching Mathematics in Grades 3 to 5 (2011, NCTM) and Teaching with Mathematical Argument: Strategies for Supporting Everyday Instruction (Heinemann, 2018). She has served as Chair of the Editorial Panel for the Journal for Research in Mathematics Education and Chair of the Special Interest Group for Research in Mathematics Education (SIG-RME) of AERA.
When: Wednesday, February 21, 4-5:30 PM
Where: Room 157 at the Kaput Center for Research and Innovation in STEM Education, 200 Mill Road, Suite 150A, Fairhaven MA 02719
If you have any questions, please send an email to kaputcenter@umassd.edu
Contact: > See Description for contact information
Topical Areas: Faculty, Staff and Administrators, Students, Students, Graduate, Mathematics, STEM Education