• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.347-366
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• 2015

There are a lot of causes of under-achievement in elementary mathematics, one of which may be lack of previous learning elements. We focus on the understanding of place value. The purpose of this study is to analyze underachievers' levels of understanding of place value concepts and to find the types of place value tasks that they have had special difficulty. For this purpose, an individual test called as "the Six Tasks of Place Value(SToPV)"was applied to ten third grade mathematics underachievers in elementary school. The test is a type of place value concept tests and requires one-on-one interview with some preparation materials. The participants' reactions were analysed according to the framework by Berman(2011). The result of analysis shows that third grade mathematics underachievers tend to have a great difficulty understanding the place value concepts. Also the types of difficult tasks were various from individual to individual. Based on the test results and discussion, we suggested some implications for diagnosing place value concepts of mathematics underachievers.

• School Mathematics
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.833-846
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• 2013

In this paper, the real state of using terms 'product', 'place value', 'nine-nine', and 'numeral' incorrectly or inconsistently in the area in Korean elementary school 1-2 grade math textbooks/workbooks are analyzed. Based on this analysis, the following four conclusions are presented. First, 'Product' should be defined in the ${\ll}$Math 3${\gg}$ textbook like 'sum' and 'difference'. Multiplication is introduced in the ${\ll}$Math 3${\gg}$ textbook/workbook, however, the result of that calculation is not referred to 'product'. Second, there is a need to reconsider the using the term 'place value' in 2nd elementary mathematics. In the ${\ll}$Math 3${\gg}$ and the ${\ll}$Math 4${\gg}$ textbooks/workbooks are not using the term 'place value' clearly. Third, the word 'addition nine-nine table' and 'subtraction nine-nine table' should not be used in the ${\ll}$Math 2${\gg}$ and the ${\ll}$Math 4${\gg}$ textbooks. Using the term 'multiplication nine-nine' and 'multiplication nine-nine table' in elementary school mathematics textbooks/workbooks instead of using the term 'nine-nine' and 'nine-nine table' respectively would be the possible cause of these inaccurate derivatives. Fourth, in 1st and 2nd elementary mathematics 'numeral' and 'number' should be used discriminately. There is a need to reconsider the using the term 'number' uniformly if possible.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.305-321
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• 2015

This study started with wondering whether the nonproportional model used in unit assessment for 2nd graders is appropriate or not for them. This study aims to explore the applicability of the nonproportional model to 2nd graders when they learn about numbers. To achieve this goal, we analyzed elementary mathematics textbooks, applied two kinds of tests to 2nd graders who have learned three-digit numbers by using the proportional model, and investigated their cognitive characteristics by interview. The results show that using the nonproportional model in the initial stages of 2nd grade can cause some didactical problems. Firstly, the nonproportional models were presented only in unit assessment without any learning activity with them in the 2nd grade textbook. Secondly, the size of each nonproportional model wasn't written on itself when it was presented. Thirdly, it was the most difficult type of nonproportional models that was introduced in the initial stages related to the nonproportional models. Fourthly, 2nd graders tend to have a great difficulty understanding the relationship of nonproportional models and to recognize the nonproportional model on the basis of the concept of place value. Finally, the question about the relationship between nonproportional models sticks to the context of multiplication, without considering the context of addition which is familiar to the students.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.21-38
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• 2012

In this study, elementary mathematics textbooks from grade 1 to grade 6 of Korea and Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture are compared. This study is limited to number area. In this study, textbooks of Korea are developed according to the 2007 curriculum and published between 2009 and 2011 and textbooks of Yanbian are published between 2009 and 2010. Seven implications for developing Korean textbooks can be drew from Yanbian textbooks as conclusions. First, it is necessary to consider using counters to teach place values. Second, it is necessary to consider reading inequalities in style of one to one correspondence between signs and words. Third, it is necessary to consider mentioning explicitly that it is possible to express the concrete whole which has a continuous quantity as natural number 1. Fourth, it is necessary to consider introducing term of fraction line that separates the numerator and denominator. Fifth, it is necessary to consider mentioning explicitly the properties of the fraction. Sixth, it is necessary to consider broadening examples to use decimals. Seventh, it is necessary to consider stating clearly that it is possible to make an additional place of decimals by adding a zero at the right end of the decimals.