• 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 the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.141-161
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• 2006

In this study, we classified word problems related to real life presented in elementary mathematics textbooks into five types of context problems(location, story, project, scrap, theme) suggested by Freudenthal(1991), and applied context problems to mathematics class to analyze the influence on students' mathematical belief and attitude. Also, we examined the types of context problems preferred according to academic performance and the reasons of preference within a group experiencing context problems. The results of the study are as follows. First, almost lessons in the mathematics textbook presents word problems related to real life, but the presenting method is inclined to a story type. Also, the problems with a story type are presented fragmentarily. Therefore, although these word problems are familiar to the students, they don't include contextual meanings and cannot induce enough mathematical motives and interests. Second, a lesson using context problems give a positive influence on their mathematics belief and attitude. It is also expected to give a positive influence on students' mathematics learning in the long run. Third, the preferred types of context problems and the reasons of preference are different according to the level of academic performance within the experimental group.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.501-525
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• 2015

This study analyzes arithmetic word problem of multiplication and division in the mathematics textbooks and workbooks of 3rd grade in elementary school according to 2009 revised curriculum. And we analyzes type of the problem solving ability which 4th graders prefer in the course of arithmetic word problem solving and the problem solving ability as per the type in order to seek efficient teaching methods on arithmetic word problem solving of students. First, in the mathematics textbook and workbook of 3rd grade, arithmetic word problem of multiplication and division suggested various things such as thought opening, activities, finish, and let's check. As per the semantic element, multiplication was classified into 5 types of cumulated addition of same number, rate, comparison, arrayal and combination while division was classified into 2 types of division into equal parts and division by equal part. According to result of analysis, the type of cumulated addition of same number was the most one for multiplication while 2 types of division into equal parts and division by equal part were evenly spread in division. Second, according to 1st test result of arithmetic word problem solving ability in the element of arithmetic operation meaning, 4th grade showed type of cumulated addition of same number as the highest correct answer ratio for multiplication. As for division, 4th grade showed 90% correct answer ratio in 4 questionnaires out of 5 questionnaires. And 2nd test showed arithmetic word problem solving ability in the element of arithmetic operation construction, as for multiplication and division, correct answer ratio was higher in the case that 4th grade students did not know the result than the case they did not know changed amount or initial amount. This was because the case of asking the result was suggested in the mathematics textbook and workbook and therefore, it was difficult for students to understand such questions as changed amount or initial amount which they did not see frequently. Therefore, it is required for students to experience more varied types of problems so that they can more easily recognize problems seen from a textbook and then, improve their understanding of problems and problem solving ability.

• School Mathematics
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.537-555
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• 2008

The study aims to analyze elementary school students' understanding of the concept of equality sign in contexts, to reflect the types of contexts for equality sign which mathematics textbook series for $1{\sim}4$ grades on natural numbers and its operation provide, and to invetigate the effects of teaching methods of the concept of equality sign suggested in this research. In order to achieve these purposes, the origin, concept, and contexts of equality sign were theoretically reviewed and organized. Also the error types in using equality sign were reflected. Modelling, discussing truth or falsity of equations, identifying relations between numbers and their operation, conjecturing basic properties of numbers and their operations, experiencing diverse contexts for equality sign, and creating contexts for equality sign are set up as teaching methods for better understanding the concept of equality sign. The conclusions are as follows. Firstly, elementary school students' under-standing of the concept of equality sign varied by context and was generally far from satisfactory. In particular, they had difficulties in understanding the concept of the equal sign in contexts with operations on both sides. The most frequently witnessed error was to recognize equality sign as a result of operations. Secondly, student' lack of understanding of the concept of equality sign came from the fact that elementary textbooks failed to provide diverse contexts for equality sign. According to the textbook analysis, contexts with operations on the left side of the equal sign in the form of $a{\pm}b=c$ were provided excessively, with the other contexts hardly seen. Thirdly, teaching methods provided in the study were found to be effective for enhancing understanding the concept of equality sign. In other words, these methods enabled students to focus on relational understanding of concept of equality sign rather than operational one.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.247-282
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• 2011

In the elementary school mathematics textbooks of the 7th national curriculum, just simple construction education is provided by having students draw a circle and triangle with compasses and drawing vertical and parallel lines with a set square. The purpose of this study was to examine the mathematical thinking of sixth-grade elementary school students in the construction process in a bid to give some suggestions on elementary construction guidance. As a result of teaching the sixth graders in gifted and nongifted classes about the equal division of line segments and evaluating their mathematical thinking, the following conclusion was reached, and there are some suggestions about that education: First, the sixth graders in the gifted classes were excellent enough to do mathematical thinking such as analogical thinking, deductive thinking, developmental thinking, generalizing thinking and symbolizing thinking when they learned to divide line segments equally and were given proper advice from their teacher. Second, the students who solved the problems without any advice or hint from the teacher didn't necessarily do lots of mathematical thinking. Third, tough construction such as the equal division of line segments was elusive for the students in the nongifted class, but it's possible for them to learn how to draw a perpendicular at midpoint, quadrangle or rhombus and extend a line by using compasses, which are more enriched construction that what's required by the current curriculum. Fourth, the students in the gifted and nongifted classes schematized the problems and symbolized the components and problem-solving process of the problems when they received process of the proble. Since they the urally got to use signs to explain their construction process, construction education could provide a good opportunity for sixth-grade students to make use of signs.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.453-475
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• 2007

School algebra starts with introducing algebraic expressions which have been one of the cognitive obstacles to the students in the transfer from arithmetic to algebra. In the recent studies on the teaching school algebra, algebraic thinking is getting much more attention together with algebraic expressions. In this paper, we examined the processes of the transfer from arithmetic to algebra and ways for teaching early algebra through algebraic thinking factors. Issues about algebraic thinking have continued since 1980's. But the theoretic foundations for algebraic thinking have not been founded in the previous studies. In this paper, we analyzed the algebraic thinking in school algebra from historico-genetic, epistemological, and symbolic-linguistic points of view, and identified algebraic thinking factors, i.e. the principle of permanence of formal laws, the concept of variable, quantitative reasoning, algebraic interpretation - constructing algebraic expressions, trans formational reasoning - changing algebraic expressions, operational senses - operating algebraic expressions, substitution, etc. We also identified these algebraic thinking factors through analyzing mathematics textbooks of elementary and middle school, and showed the middle school students' low achievement relating to these factors through the algebraic thinking ability test. Based upon these analyses, we argued that the readiness for algebra learning should be made through the processes including algebraic thinking factors in the elementary school and that the transfer from arithmetic to algebra should be accomplished naturally through the pre-algebra course. And we searched for alternative ways to improve algebra curriculums, emphasizing algebraic thinking factors. In summary, we identified the problems of school algebra relating to the transfer from arithmetic to algebra with the problem of teaching algebraic thinking and analyzed the algebraic thinking factors of school algebra, and searched for alternative ways for improving the transfer from arithmetic to algebra and the teaching of early algebra.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.256-272
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• 2017

The purpose of this research is to study and learn more features how this type of distribution for communication in $6^{th}$ grade first semester elementary science and mathematics according to communicative expression by 2009 revised curriculum. For this study, based on an analysis standard presented in previous research on the types of communication. The results of this research are as follows. First, because the mathematics presents the number of ways to communicate twice more than science, mathematics go through with much more problems to solve than science. Second, in mathematics, spoken method and written method have similar proportion, less in physical activity method. Third, Science showed balanced proportion among four areas; earth, life, energy, and material. On the other hand, mathematics only showed small numbers in the area of geometry but similar numbers in number and operations, regularity, measurement. Fourth, there is no common feature or relevance about communicative approach for convergence thinking in 2009 revised curriculum, it seems that it doesn't consider it as a revised.

• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.39-55
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• 2009

For this study, the 'Game Activities' lessons presented in the math textbooks from the 1st grade to the 6th were examined in terms of learning materials, the learning members' make-up, the playing structures, and the relation with the contents. In addition, the survey by means of questionnaires was conducted to analyze the actual condition of teachers' guidance in the field. The findings from this research were as follows: First, as for the activities presented in the textbooks, it turned out that too much emphasis is placed upon plays mainly using learning materials such as cards and dice played by teams of two. In addition, there have been shown negative aspects in various ways of plays putting too much emphasis on certain types of plays such as and structures. As for the relation with the contents, although lots of efforts were taken to connect the playing activity to the lesson contents, there were units presenting plays based on the preceding lesson's repeated activity, ones that have weak link with the contents. Second, it turned out that the teachers had negative attitude on the guidance using the 'Game Activities' lesson, although they were aware of the effects of playing in math learning. This seemed to result from the delicate variety and insufficient preparation for the play. Besides, the findings indicate that the appreciation and activity of the 'Game Activities' lesson presented as a way of performance evaluation. for play need to be provided in school or classrooms for teachers and students to make good use of them.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2013

In this paper, firstly, 'value', 'vertices', 'height' are discussed, which are used in the multiple contexts. Then 'sketch', 'mental math', 'zero point oneth place/zero point zero oneth place/zero point zereo zero oneth place', 'number of place', 'natural number part/decimal part' are discussed, which are not used consistently. Finally, middle school mathematics terms 'distance', 'number line', 'the value of the expression' are discussed which are used in elementary school mathematics textbooks/workbooks. From these discussions, the following four suggestions are proposed as conclusions. First, as a mathematical term 'value' and 'distance' should be emphasized. As 'distance' is a middle school term, there is a need to consider the 'height' as 'the length of the line segment' instead of 'distance'. Second, 'number of place' which can be replaced with other suitable term, 'the value of the expression' including 'value of $20{\times}4$', 'natural number part/decimal part', 'vertex of pyramid/vertex of cone', 'mental math' should not be used. Third, there is a need to consider the use of 'mixed decimal' and 'proper decimal'. In addition, there is a need to expand the use of 'sketch'. Fourth, there is a need to consider the confirmation of 'number line' as an elementary school mathematics term. In addition, there is a need to consider to specify that 'decimal first place', 'decimal second place', 'decimal third place' can be used equivalently with 'zero point oneth place', 'zero point zero oneth place', 'zero point zereo zero oneth place' respectively.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.47-62
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of classes using AlgeoMath on fifth grade elementary students' mathematical problem-solving skills and mathematical attitudes. For this purpose, the 'cuboid' section of the 5th grade elementary textbook based on AlgeoMath was reorganized. A total of 8 experimental classes were conducted using this teaching and learning material. And the quantitative data collected before and after the experimental lesson were statistically analyzed. In addition, by presenting instances of experimental lessons using AlgeoMath, we investigated the effectiveness and reality of classes using engineering in terms of mathematical problem-solving ability and attitude. The results of this study are as follows. First, in the mathematical problem-solving ability test, there was a significant difference between the experimental group and the comparison group at the significance level. In other words, lessons using AlgeoMath were found to be effective in increasing mathematical problem-solving skills. Second, in the mathematical attitude test, there was no significant difference between the experimental group and the comparison group at the significance level. However, the average score of the experimental group was found to be higher than that of the comparison group for all sub-elements of mathematical attitude.