Division of Mathematics Learning and Teaching

Teaching to the Big Ideas of Early Algebra This project designs, produces, and tests two professional development modules on the big ideas of early algebra. The modules, on themes of generalization and functions, respectively, are part of Developing Mathematical Ideas (DMI), a series designed for elementary and middle-grade teachers. DMI seminars support teacher learning of mathematics and of children's mathematical thinking. Five modules have already been produced on themes of arithmetic, geometry, and data. The modules on early algebra complete this program, providing teachers with background needed to prepare students for later study. Project staff write articles addressed to a wide audience-teachers, administrators, professional development staff, faculty in higher education staff (mathematicians and educators)-about what students can learn about algebra in the elementary grades, how to support this learning, where in the curriculum opportunities arise to emphasize algebraic ideas, and what support teachers need to teach algebra effectively. The evaluation has two main components: 1) assessment of teacher learning, offering the possibility of comparing teacher learning across different seminar groups and across programs, and 2) analysis of the DMI effect on student test scores. The extant DMI modules have been used to support several large teacher enhancement projects, including those in urban settings, and over 15,000 casebooks have been sold. Albuquerque's statistical analysis of students' scores on a standardized test found that schools in which teachers participated in DMI seminars outperformed those that did not. The new modules extend this reach, and the critical content of early algebra will have further impact on student learning.