Author Pam Harris argues that teaching real math--math that is free of distortions--will reach more students more effectively and result in deeper understanding and longer retention. This book is about teaching undistorted math using the kinds of mental reasoning that mathematicians do. Memorization tricks and algorithms meant to make math…

There has been a consensus that students' conceptual understanding of mathematical operations (such as multiplication) can be developed through communication about multiple representations. However, learning opportunities have often appeared to be limited to surface translations (in which only obvious similarities such as numbers have been…

The multiplication principle (MP) is foundational for combinatorial problem-solving. From a units-coordination perspective, applying the MP with justification entails establishing unit relationships between the number of options at each independent stage of a counting process and the total number of combinatorial outcomes. Existing research…

This single-case study assessed the effectiveness of a mnemonic pegword strategy designed to enhance the multiplication fact fluency of three 6th-grade students who demonstrated persistent learning difficulties in mathematics. A nonconcurrent multiple baseline across subjects design was utilized, incorporating 3-5 baseline sessions followed by…

Despite substantial research exploring multiplicative thinking and students' difficulty in the domain, the topic of multi-digit multiplication is under-researched. In this paper, I share a learning trajectory for multi-digit multiplication that combined social and cognitive perspectives of learning. Using Design Research methods and involving 45…

In this note we demonstrate two instances where matrix multiplication can be easily verified. In the first setting, the matrix product appears as matrix element concatenation, and in the second, the product coincides with matrix addition. General proofs for some results are provided with a more complete description for 2×2 matrices. Suggested for…

The application of decomposition strategies (i.e., associative or distributive strategies) in two-digit multiplication problem solving supports algebraic thinking skills essential for later complex mathematical skills like solving algebra problems. Use of such strategies is also associated with improved accuracy and speed in mathematical problem…

In current teaching materials, when using Dedekind cuts to construct real numbers, the definition of a Dedekind cut is always involved in defining addition and multiplication. In this paper, as it is done in many current textbooks, Dedekind cuts are used to construct the set of real numbers. Then the order in it is defined, and the…

This study explores opportunities to learn definite integrals in three widely used textbooks in the U.S. Definitions, worked examples, and exercise problems were coded using research-based cognitive resources in definite integrals. The results show that limited opportunities for students to explore multiplicative relationship between two…

This study examined a 6-week intervention in which fourth grade students either played fluency games or used pictorial flashcards to develop fluency with their basic multiplication facts. Students who played fluency games showed more growth than the pictorial flashcards, but an analysis of variance showed that there was no statistically…

Digital multi-representation applets offer promising opportunities for promoting students' conceptual understanding by dynamically converting graphical and symbolic representations and for promoting discoveries and justifications of mathematical properties. However, learning effects of open-ended multi-representation applets seem to depend on…

Incremental rehearsal (IR) has consistently been shown to improve students' math fact retention and fluency (Maki et al., Journal of Behavioral Education 30:534-558, 2021). However, less is known about how intervention modifications may support longer-term skill maintenance. The purpose of this study was to compare traditional IR with a modified…

The exploration of children's drawings as mathematical representations is a current focus in early years mathematics education research. This paper presents a qualitative analysis of 72 kindergarten to Grade 3 (5 to 8 years old) children's drawings produced during problem-solving tasks centred on multiplicative strategies. Existing frameworks for…

Developing and supporting understanding of the meaning of multiplication and multiplicative relationships in students with mathematics learning disabilities requires carefully designed instruction that emphasizes strategic representation use. This article discusses three ways in which teachers can incorporate multiple representations within…

This paper reports findings related to the pursuit of describing a lived knowing for teaching mathematics. Specifically, we used an enactivist perspective to describe the knowing exhibited by three experienced high school teachers in their instructional actions while leading whole-class instruction on the topic of the equations of exponential…