Just imagine, you know you're supposed to get the p all alone...but it has a - in front of it, and it's not at the beginning of the left side. So many traps! And not a scrap of sense making. #ElemMathChat

I think "algebra" is seen as this thing where we introduce variables and weird notation and we're somehow doing something new, and not a thing where we are adding new and efficient notation to the algebraic reasoning we've been doing all along. #ElemMathChat

Credit goes to Barbara Dougherty, who I think was at the U of Mizzou when she published this tidbit, then at U of Hawaii. Alas, I don't have the actual citation. #ElemMathChat

I'd be okay with that! It does make me wonder if every Tiny Library in @triangleman.bsky.social 's neighborhood has seen Which One Doesn't Belong? or How Did You Count?" pass through, or if he's more subtle than that. #ElemMathChat

"Studies" have shown that if you ask kids to solve 12 - p = 5, they freak out. Ask them to solve 12 - [box] = 5, they think you're an idiot and say, "7! Why are you asking a stupid question?" The variable makes folx think they're supposed to "do" something rather than think. #ElemMathChat

I can report that every math-y book I have left in my next door neighbors' Tiny Library over the years has disappeared. I am hopeful they have found good homes and cultivated lots of great discussion. I don't regularly check on the ones further from home. #ElemMathChat

I think there's a tendency to think "algebra is doing real math" if you ever learned it, even when there are way easier methods, and you haven't done alg since undergrad (and maybe didn't even get it then). Using number sense instead of variables is valid math! #ElemMathChat

I love doing probs with "mixed" groups of Ts - say grades 3-12. The MS and HS Ts are all using algebra, and the Gr3 T is like, "Duh. Just do this and you're done. Why are you doing all that work??" (It's even better if I didn't think of it already!) #ElemMathChat

For me, it's good books to put in local Tiny Libraries! I'll start another buying list. #ElemMathChat

But SO beautiful when they have a moment like this. "But, wait, you mean you can [do that]?? Lemme try one!" #ElemMathChat

And so that they HAVE power - they can dig into things with numbers and explain them and not rely on others to explain it. (Unfortunately, sometimes those other folks don't have your best interests in mind...) #ElemMathChat

When we had the Problems of the Week at #TheMathForum, my brain got SO much bigger by not using algebraic representations all the time for the Gr3-5 and Gr6-8 problems. It was magic! #ElemMathChat

I'm a sucker for talking to kids who want to understand something! #ElemMathChat

I'll be there. This can definitely be a topic of conversation if one of us remembers! #ElemMathChat

An elem T friend had a Gr3 student who HAD to know why the 3 rule worked, so I speakerphoned with them (pre-Zoom et al). He left the convo determined to figure out why some of the other rules work (and he learned some number theory, though he didn't know that at the time). #ElemMathChat

I've shared Splat! with lots of people. It's so fun! I turned a few of them into Desmos activities to use with collaborative online groups (previous grant-funded project) and they definitely fulfilled some needs and fostered great conversation. #ElemMathChat

A3: Number talks, with a focus on coming up with as many ways as possible - and make sure that when you're "done", you #NoticeWonder about the ways. Ruth Parker told me "it's a game changer". #ElemMathChat

According to my friend Max, it's actually harder! www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK6i... #ElemMathChat

Oh, excellent point. Take them apart, and put them back together in lots of different ways. Flexibility is indeed key. #ElemMathChat