AN EXPRESSION OF MATHEMATICAL CONNECTIONS IN MULTIPLICATION-RELATED THINKING IN THIRD AND FOURTH GRADES OF PRIMARY SCHOOL
| Author's Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Institutional affilation - Country | Author's Email | Author's ORCID |
|
Vilnius University - Lithuania |
vaiva.grabauskiene@fsf.vu.lt |
n/a |
|
Volume/Issue :
Article type :
Original article
Page No :
9-29
Abstract :
Mathematical comprehension is closely related to a cognition of mathematical connections. A multiplication is a mathematical operation characterized by complex mathematical connections. Students are early introduced with the multiplication. Therefore, in primary school, not so developed cognition of mathematical connections may become a reason for difficulties in Maths. A functionality of concept is based on a view to a multiplication. The analysis scientific literature revealed that a thinking of multiplication can be either additive or multiplicative. Additionally, the multiplication learning has a variety of additive and multiplicative explanations. Because they use different specificity of visualization, the models are not equally suitable for teaching children about different properties of multiplication. Based on research, in Math classes, students are only introduced with few of the models, not covering a whole variety of them. In the research, a paper and pencil type of survey consisted of 157 participants from 3rd and 4th Grades, eight different classes from four different schools. The students had to fill the table explaining multiplication of 5 x 12 in a form of writing and drawing. The quantitative analysis of results has showed that in Grades 3 to 4, the additive view to multiplication is much more prevalent, in comparison to the multiplicative reasoning. The array model is used often but not in an extensive way. The students do not know other types of multiplicative type models. In conclusion, the results showed that students of Grades 3rd and 4th knew not enough about the mathematical connections. Therefore, teachers should pay more attention to teaching students various ways of visualizing, for children, to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the multiplication process. Acknowledgement. This work was supported by a grant (No. 09.2.1-ESFA-K-728-01-0040) from the ESFA.
Keywords :
additive reasoning, multiplication learning, multiplicative reasoning, primary mathematics education
References :
Atkins, S. L. (2016). Creating a language rich math class. Strategies and activities for building conceptual understanding. New York: Routledge.
Barmby, P., Harries, A. V., & Higgins, S. E. (2010). Teaching for understanding/understanding for teaching. In Issues in Teaching Numeracy in Primary Schools, 45–57. Retrieved from http://dro.dur.ac.uk/7939/1/7939.pdf?DDD29+ded4ss
Barmby, P., Harries, T., Higgins, S., & Suggate, J. (2009). The array representation and primary children’s understanding and reasoning in multiplication. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 70, 217–241. doi: 10.1007/s10649-008-9145-1.
Brickwedde, J. (2011). Transitioning from additive to multiplicative thinking: A design and teaching experiment with third through fifth Graders. (Doctoral dissertation, University of Minnesota). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. (UMI 3474726).
Day, L., & Hurell D. (2015). An explanation for the use of arrays to promote the understanding of mental strategies for multiplication. Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, 20(1), 20–23.
Hazekamp, J. (2011). Why before how. Singapore Math Computation Strategies. USA: Crystal Springs Books.
Harries, T., & Barmby, P. (2008). Representing multiplication. Mathematics Teaching Incorporating Micromath, 206, 37–41.
Harvey-Swanston, R. (2017). “I was good at my times-tables when I was nine, now I can’t remember them”: Learning multiplication facts with conceptual understanding. Mathematics Teaching, 12, 20–22.
Huang, A. (2013). Developing multiplicative thinking with rectangular array tasks in a computer environment. (Doctoral dissertation, University of California). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. (UMI 3596891).
Hurst, Ch., & Hurrel, D. (2018). Algorithms are useful. Understanding them is even better! Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, 23(3), 17–21.
Jeannotte, D., & Kieran, C. (2017). A conceptual model of mathematical reasoning for school mathematics. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 96(1), 1–16. doi: 10.1007/s10649-017-9761-8.
Mcintosh, J., & Rammage, J. (2011). Multiplication and division (number and algebra: module 3). A guide for teachers - years F–4. Retrieved from http://www.amsi.org.au/teacher_modules/pdfs/multiplication_and_division.pdf.
McLeay (2008). A model for multiplication. Mathematics Teaching Incorporating Micromath, 206, 32–33.
McMillan, B. (2018). Connecting the multiplicative field with student mathematical thinking. (Doctoral dissertation, University Of California, Los Angeles). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. (10977885).
Milton, J. H., Flores, M. M., Moore, A. J., Taylor, J. J., & Burton, M. E (2019). Using the concrete–representational–abstract sequence to teach conceptual understanding of basic multiplication and division. Learning Disability Quarterly, 42(1), 32–45.
Ormond, Ch. (2012). Developing algebraic thinking: Two key ways to establish some early algebraic ideas in primary classrooms. Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, 17(4), 13–21.
Radatz, H., & Schiper, W. (2007). Handbuch für den Mathematik-Unterricht an Grundschulen [Handbook for mathematics education at primary schools]. Hannover: Schroedel.
Sin, S. (2010). Considerations of quality in phenomenographic research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 9(4), 305–319.
Tzur, R., Johnson, H. L., McClintock, E., Kenney, R. H., Xin, Y.P., Si, L., Woordward, J., Hord, C., & Jin, X. (2013). Distinguishing schemes and tasks in children’s development of multiplicative reasoning. PNA, 7(3), 85–101.
Young-Loveridge, J. (2006). Fostering multiplicative thinking using array-based materials. Australian Mathematics Teacher, 61(3), 34–40.
Watson, K. (2016). Laying the foundation for multiplicative thinking in year 2. Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, 21(3), 16–20.
Whitin, Ph. (2008). Exploring a “Wonder” about multiplication. Connect Magazine, 5, 1–3.
Zhang, D., Ding, Y., Lee, S., & Chen, J. (2017). Strategic development of multiplication problem solving: Patterns of students’ strategy choices. The Journal of Educational Research, 110(2), 159–170.
Cite as :
Grabauskienė, V., & Mockaitytė-Rastenienė, O. (2019). Matematinių sąryšių pažinimo raiška III–IV klasės mokinių samprotavime apie daugybą [An expression of mathematical connections in multiplication-related thinking in third and fourth grades of primary school]. Švietimas: politika, vadyba, kokybė / Education Policy, Management and Quality, 11(1), 9-29. https://doi.org/10.48127/spvk-epmq/19.11.09

