Elementary students’ access to powerful mathematical ideas

Young children’s early modelling with data

“…Young children are very much a part of our data-driven society, with early access to computer technology and daily exposure to the mass media where various displays of data and related reports can easily mystify or misinform, rather than inform, their inquisitive minds. Rethinking the nature of children's statistical experiences in the early years of school is imperativewe need to consider how we can best develop the important mathematical and scientific ideas and processes that underlie statistical reasoning (Langrall et al, 2008;Watson, 2006). Several recent articles (e.g., Franklin & Garfield, 2006;Langrall et al, 2008;Leavy, 2007) and policy documents have highlighted the need for a renewed focus on working with data in early mathematics learning.…”

“…Rethinking the nature of children's statistical experiences in the early years of school is imperativewe need to consider how we can best develop the important mathematical and scientific ideas and processes that underlie statistical reasoning (Langrall et al, 2008;Watson, 2006). Several recent articles (e.g., Franklin & Garfield, 2006;Langrall et al, 2008;Leavy, 2007) and policy documents have highlighted the need for a renewed focus on working with data in early mathematics learning. For example, the USA National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) identified data analysis and probability as its "Focus of the Year" for 2007(September, 2007, while the recent Statements of Learning for Mathematics and Statements of Learning for Science in Australia (Curriculum Corporation, 2009) as well as the NCTM Curriculum Focal Points in the US (2006), highlight the importance of children working mathematically and scientifically in dealing with real-world data in the early school years.…”

“…the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers & Early Childhood Australia, 2006). One increasingly important area in need of attention here is statistical reasoning (Langrall, Mooney, Nisbet, & Jones, 2008;Watson, 2006).…”

Children’s unit concepts in measurement: a teaching experiment spanning grades 2 through 5

“…Similarly, Langrall et al (2008) indicate the generality and importance of unit concepts in a theoretical perspective for the mathematics curriculum. Students appeared to benefit as they worked on measuring tasks emphasizing common unit and structuring concepts across spatial dimensions of length, perimeter, area and volume (Irwin, Vistro-Yu, & Ell, 2004;Mulligan, et al, 2005).…”

“…We hypothesize that measurement is a conceptual domain of learning that may be taught more efficiently if the 'big ideas' can be developed around a core set of concepts for measure units. Our purpose here is to describe tasks and ways of designing tasks that focus on conceptual aspects of learning measurement units, especially by comparing quantities and establishing units (Langrall, Mooney, Nisbet, & Jones, 2008).…”