To understand integers, students must have a number sense. Number sense “…refers to a child’s fluidity and flexibility with numbers, the sense of what numbers mean, and an ability to perform mental mathematics and to look at the world and make comparisons” (Gersten & Chard, 1999). The CRA instructional model, is a great strategy for teaching integers. |
ConcreteThe concrete level is the most basic level of understanding and the most crucial for developing conceptual understanding of mathematic concepts. Concrete learning occurs when students have ample opportunities to manipulate concrete objects
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RepresentationalIn this stage, students learn to problem solve by drawing pictures. It is appropriate to move into this stage after students have mastered manipulation at a concrete level. This stage also provides an effective way to practice problems solving independently until they develop fluency at the abstract level.
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AbstractAt the abstract level, students solve problems without the use of concrete objects or drawing pictures.
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Pre-teach vocabulary before the students run into the word on their own or in their textbook. It is important to teach the word within the context with which it will be used.
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When teaching the vocabulary:
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