Early Adventures in Algebra: Featuring Zero the Hero

"Algebra for first and second grade?" YES! Early Adventures in Algebra builds a foundation in algebraic thinking for students in the early primary grades. With "Zero the Hero," students learn the important role zero plays in our number system. In a series of activities, including engaging games and challenges, students solve for unknowns, explore the concepts of equality and inequality, and represent and analyze mathematical situations using algebraic symbols. Throughout the unit, the teacher encourages students to explain their thinking. Sample teacher-student dialogues are featured, based on real classroom interactions. This new GEMS guide makes strong connections to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Principles and Standards of School Mathematics as it builds crucial scaffolding for more complex algebraic reasoning in later grades.