Equals Means Balanced or Is the Same As, NOT Get the Answer like Many Children Think

Asked true or false for the following three questions, many elementary school children will answer false for at least one of them: (1) 5 = 2+3, (2) 7 = 7, and (3) 4+6 = 2+8. If asked why they answered false, the common response for 5 = 2+3 is that it is written backwards—that the problem should be on the left hand side and the answer on the right hand side. For 7 = 7, it is that there has to be a problem, like 7+0 = 7 or 7x1 = 7. For 4+6 = 2+8, it is that there are two problems: 4+6 = 10 and 2+8 = 10. Students that think this way believe the equal sign means get the answer as on a calculator, which is all right on a calculator, but not in algebra. To succeed in algebra, they must broaden their understanding of equals to include thinking of it as balanced or is the same as. Go to MOVE IT Math™ on the web @ moveitmaththesource.com for lessons using a math balance to teach the concepts of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division and to introduce algebra to young children. The site is full of great basic math lessons that are effective with ALL children, including those who dont know what they ought to know by now and those who need enrichment. Please give us a chance to help you boost grades, increase test scores, and improve attitudes. EVERYONE can learn and like math. We are new to the web but have been making that happen for more than 35 years!

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Move it math
• elementary school math
• home schooling
• tutoring
• teaching
• arithmetic
• math
• basic math
• help
• lessons
• hands-on
• manipulatives
• concrete
• equabeam
• math balance
• equals
• equality
• less than
• greater than
• facts
• number facts
• problem solving
• algebra
• algebraic equations
• whole numbers
• add
• adding
• addition
• subtract
• subtracting
• subtraction
• comparing
• finding differences
• multiply
• multiplying
• multiplication
• divide
• dividing
• division
• fractions
• decimals
• percent