Improving Understanding of Mathematical Equivalence

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Caroline Byrd Hornburg Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

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Heather Brletic-Shipley National Board Certified Teacher, North Carolina

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Julia M. Matthews
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Nicole M. McNeil University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN

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Modify arithmetic problem formats to make the relational equation structure more transparent. We describe this practice and three additional evidence-based practices: (1) introducing the equal sign outside of arithmetic, (2) concreteness fading activities, and (3) comparing and explaining different problem formats and problem-solving strategies.

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Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12
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