Tips from Teachers on Using Algebraic Reasoning in the Classroom Ask students to
Demonstrate
their strategies for solving a problem.
Look
to their peers for ideas about solving problems.
Explain (verbally and in writing) how they arrived at a particular solution.
Determine if their solutions were different from those of
their peers.
Articulate patterns in data.
Demonstrate real world connections to school mathematics.
Test the validity of their solutions.
Make connections to previous mathematical activities.
Model problems through graphs, charts and tables.
The teachers practice
should
Emphasize justifying and organizing information.
Promote classroom interactions.
Focus on the process of problem-solving (not just
the answers).
Follow students’ thinking.
Include extending problems to include “what if” scenarios
(conjecturing).
Allow students to do the work (rather than telling
them what to do).
Extend small number problems to larger, less comfortable
numbers.