Open AccessFoundations to Algebraic Mastery
Author(s) -
Vicki-Lynn Holmes,
Karla Spence,
Jane E. Finn,
Shelia McGee Ingram,
Libbey Horton
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
world journal of educational research (los angeles. online)/world journal of educational research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2375-9771
pISSN - 2333-5998
DOI - 10.22158/wjer.v5n1p66
Subject(s) - algebra over a field , mathematics education , algebraic number , mathematics , computer science , pure mathematics , mathematical analysis
Realizing that Algebra 1 is a gatekeeper to not only higher mathematics, but STEM careers in general (Blanchard & Muller, 2015; Stoelinga & Lynn, 2013), it is imperative that our students master the content matter. To this end, four essential components to ensuring success for Algebra 1 students have been identified: (a) basic skill development, (b) computational ease, (c) step-by-step scaffolding, and (d) the extensive use of the Explain-Practice-Assess (EPA) Strategy (Holmes,Spence, Finn, & Ingram, 2017). In this article, each of these four components is described in detail with accompanying examples. These examples model evidenced-based practices and provide a very useful guide for algebra teachers in their own classrooms.