Emergence of tables as first-graders cope with modelling tasks |
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Authors: | Irit Peled Einav Keisar |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Mathematics Education, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israelipeled@edu.haifa.ac.il;3. Department of Mathematics Education, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel |
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Abstract: | In this action research, first-graders were challenged to cope with a sequence of modelling tasks involving an analysis of given situations and choices of mathematical tools. In the course of the sequence, they underwent a change in the nature of their problem-solving processes and developed modelling competencies. Moreover, during the task sequence, the first-graders spontaneously discovered the power of organizing problem data in a table. They did not merely use their existing mathematical knowledge, but also ‘reinvented’ tables as a new mathematical tool. This paper describes the gradual development of this tool as the children moved along the task sequence. Notably, the first-graders exhibited this progress in spite of having relatively little mathematical knowledge. |
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Keywords: | modelling tasks tables reinvention Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) |
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