Five Key Ideas to Teach Fractions and Decimals with Understanding

Authors

  • Jonathan Brendefur Boise State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.32.1832

Keywords:

Fractions, Decimals, Developing mathematical thinking

Abstract

The teaching of fractions and decimals is a significant challenge for many teachers due to the inherent difficulty of the topic for students as well as the lack of high-quality, modernized curricular materials. This article examines the key ideas of teaching fractions and decimals for understanding that are evident in the current research literature and the curricular materials and teaching strategies from high-achieving nations.

Author Biography

Jonathan Brendefur, Boise State University

Curriculum, Instruction and Policy Studies

Professor 

References

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Brendefur, J. L., Thiede, K., Strother, S., Bunning, K., & Peck, D. (2013). Developing mathematical thinking: Changing teachers' knowledge and instruction. Journal of Curriculum and Teaching, 2(2).

de Lange, Jan. 1999. Framework for classroom assessment in mathematics. Unpublished Manuscript. Madison, WI.

Gersten, R., S. K. Baker, P. Collins, S. Linan-Thompson, and T. Shanahan. 2007. Effective literacy and English language instruction for English learners in the elementary grades. Washington, D.C.: Institute of Education Sciences.

Kazemi, Elham. 1998. "Discourse that promotes conceptual understanding." Teaching Children Mathematics 4 (7):410-414.

Lamon, Susan J. 2012. Teaching fractions and ratios for understanding: Essential content knowledge and instructional strategies for teachers: Routledge.

Leinwand, Steven, and Alan L Ginsburg. 2007. "Learning from Singapore math." Educational Leadership 65 (3):32-36.

NGA. 2010. Common core state standards for mathematics. Washington DC: National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers.

NMAP. 2008. Foundations for success: The final report of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel. Edited by National Mathematics Advisory Panel. Washington D.C.: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development.

Watanabe, T. 2002. "Representations in teaching and learning fractions." Teaching Children Mathematics 8 (8):457-563.

Webb, Norman L. 2002. "Depth-of-knowledge levels for four content areas." Language Arts.

Wu, H. 2011. "The mis-education of mathematics teachers." Notices of the AMS 58 (3):372-384.

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Published

2016-02-20

How to Cite

Brendefur, J. (2016). Five Key Ideas to Teach Fractions and Decimals with Understanding. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.32.1832

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2016): Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal

Section

Articles

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