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Building on Children's Mathematics - a Teaching Experiment in Grade Three

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Abstract

There rarely seems to be any disagreement that teaching should build on children's mathematics, but there are many possible ways to put this demand in concrete terms. In this sense, the present paper describes a teaching experiment in grade three based on Treffers' idea of vertical mathematisation. Central components of the developed course are discussed, with focus on the use of the empty number line and of maths diaries as well as on the idea of conducting maths conferences. The teaching experiment is illustrated by means of children's own productions and finally put into a broader context as contributing to the design science approach of mathematics education.

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Selter, C. Building on Children's Mathematics - a Teaching Experiment in Grade Three. Educational Studies in Mathematics 36, 1–27 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003111425076

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