Algebra and Understanding the Equal Sign

After reading Chapter 2 of Children’s Understanding of Equality, it was a real eye opener for me as a teacher. Reading more information on students understanding of Algebra and the equal sign made me look deeper into my students’ understanding.

In the article, “Does Understanding the Equal Sign Matter?” a study was conducted to see how well the students understood the equal sign and how it is important in solving equations. The results corresponded to the chapter above.

I am an 8^th grade special education math teacher. We are working on solving equations and working with my students I began to see where my students did not understand what the equal sign meant. When the problem was set up this way 2x + 4 = 6, all students understood what to do because it was in the “correct” order according to them. As soon as they saw the problem this way 6 = 2x + 4, some students did not know what to do. They raised their hands and asked for help because the problem was not correctly written. I did a mini lesson with the individual students to show them that both ways were the exact same problem, just reversed. We worked both ways out together.

We’ve been working on solving equations for three weeks now, and I wasn’t understanding why my students weren’t grasping the concept. After reading the article “Does Understanding the Equal Sign Matter?” it all began to click and I had my “aha” moment. It makes me want to dig deeper into how much my students need to learn to help them be successful in the upcoming concepts in 8^th grade.

With the data presented in table one in the article on page 303, I believe if I conducted this study, the results would be very similar. I witnessed that today during the students’ assignment. The students need understand the equal sign in order to be successful in algebra. It is important for solving equations, solving systems, working with geometry problems, and so many other concepts in math.

After reading the different articles, it has made me more aware of my students’ understanding and will make me a better teacher. I can help them grasp the concept that yes, the equal sign does mean something and yes, it is important. You can have the problem set up any way and you can have more than one equal sign in a number sentence. I now know that small group instruction will pay off and my students will become a better student in mathematics.

What do you think? Is and equal sign important and do you have people in your life who aren’t sure how to complete this type of problem 7 + 4 = ___ + 6 = 11?