Tasks and Competencies in the Teaching and Learning of Algebra

Book excerpt: Tasks and Competencies in the Teaching and Learning of Algebra provides a conceptual approach that will encourage students learning algebra to employ a variety of thinking processes and strategies and, most importantly, will enable them to truly understand the concepts that underlie the problems they are solving. The authors' framework develops those skills and competencies, aligned with the goals of the Common Core State Standards, that are necessary for an integrated, conceptual learning of algebra. The book's four chapters include tasks focusing on algebraic expressions, equations, and functions, followed by tasks that integrate several mathematical concepts. Each of the 48 tasks in this book contains: a classroom-ready task, with items arranged by increasing order of complexity a discussion of the task's main ideas and objectives solutions for each item in the task, with suggestions of various methods that students might use; and a listing of the essential competencies that students can develop by working on the task. All 48 tasks are also available at NCTM's More4U website as downloadable and printable worksheets to hand out to students. With its strong conceptual framework, Tasks and Competencies in the Teaching and Learning of Algebra is designed to enable teachers, teacher educators, and curriculum designers to help students at all levels master the ideas and practices found in algebra and to develop skills they can use throughout their mathematics education.