Algebra Taught in First Grade
Why Teach Algebra in 1st Grade and How is This Being Done?
Dec 31, 2008
Lebanon discovered that low math scores are not a high school problem but an elementary problem. The Lebanon School District is not using textbooks as a basis for the change in how they teach math. The change in how to teach math is driven by research data.
Lebanon, Oregon Schools
Lebanon is located in northwest Oregon, southeast of Salem, and has a population of approximately 13,000 people. The population is 94% white, 1% Native American and 1% Asian. It is known as the home of the World’s Largest Strawberry Shortcake as part of its annual Strawberry Festival.
Lebanon seems like a typical small town, except over 80% of the eighth graders there pass the state math test. Other schools with the same demographics average 66% on the state math test. Lebanon schools expect this percentage to increase as more teachers begin teaching math differently.
Unfortunately, math scores at the high school are some of the lowest in the state of Oregon. The hope is that as students come into high school with an improved math background scores will improve.
Lebanon Elementary Classrooms Teach Algebra
Put away flashcards and worksheets. Math classes are hands-on. Students are not adding and subtracting numbers on a page. Instead, they are discussing teddy bears walking off the rug and how many are left. How many cookies are left in the cookie jar after six are eaten. Students do not spend weeks memorizing multiplication tables but by third and fourth grade most of them can add, subtract and multiply accurately and quickly.
Key Elements To Algebra Math Program
Lebanon teachers that are using the new math concept do not claim to have the perfect math program but it is working well for them. What are the concepts?
- Begin simple algebra and multiplication by first grade
- Every child talks about his or her math reasoning
- Students set up their own problems and equations
- Allow students to use large numbers if they choose
- Cover few topics in great depth instead of many topics quickly
- Use visual and hands-on modeling to make the math concept concrete, not abstract
Sources of Elementary Algebra Teaching Concepts
Lebanon teachers do not claim to have developed the new teaching methods. The Northwest Regional Education Laboratory in Portland helped train over 60 Lebanon teachers. NREL is a research and training agency. However, NREL is based on Cognitively Guided Instruction developed by education researchers at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Lebanon School District researched the data and trained its teachers.
Lebanon teachers do not check worksheets and mark incorrect answers with a red pen. Incorrect answers generate a question from the teacher, "Can you tell me about your thinking?" This new approach is in line with recent national reports on how to improve math in the United States.
National Math Panel Recommends Reform
President George Bush appointed the National Math Panel to find research on what works in teaching math to children. The panel learned that the problem isn’t really high school teachers. Children come into high school without understanding basic concepts like fractions, percentages and decimals. The changes in math need to begin in the early elementary years.
The Center for Data-Driven Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University reports that it is not all about finding the right textbook or computerized math program. Data shows that elementary teachers need to change teaching practices. Math toolboxes need to replace math books and workbooks. Teachers guide children through concepts using manipulatives instead of paper and pencils. This practice has allowed the students in primary classrooms in Lebanon to work with negative numbers, work problems in their heads, solve algebraic equations and easily use number lines.
Source: Jerry Casey, The Oregonian, "Lebanon schools turn algebra into child’s play," December 28, 2008.
Related article: Is Upper Level Math Necessary?
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