• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.455-467
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• 2008

We need to reflect the establishment of meaning and level of 'proof and argumentation in middle school mathematics'. It should be considered as human activity through communication in community. Thus, we should design instruction from this standpoint. From this point of view, we had been operated 'Geometry Inquiry Class' aimed at middle school students in eighth grade for two years to improve current geometry class in middle school. In this study, we will observe how individual students' original proof schemes are developed and accepted to the class through the process of mutual negotiation between the teacher and students. The episode with four phases begins with the initial proof schemes students have offered. Through the negotiation of class participants, it gives birth to the proof scheme unique to the current geometry classroom. Why do we pay attention to the process? It is because we think that the value of this type of instruction lies in the process of communication and mutual understanding and mutual reference, not in the completeness of the final product. This is the very appropriate proof in the middle school mathematics classroom.