Making Algebra Meaningful
A Visual Approach to Math Literacy for All

Nicole L. Fonger (Author)

9780807769966

Paperback / softback, published 23 August 2024

192 pages
25.4 x 17.8 x 1 cm, 0.368 kg

An essential understanding of the uses and practices of algebra remain out of reach for many students. In this book, award-winning researcher Dr. Nicole Fonger addresses the issue of how to support all learners to experience algebra as meaningful. In a highly visual approach, the book details four research-based lenses with examples from 9th-grade algebra classrooms: (1) students' algebraic reasoning and representing; (2) goal-directed classroom practices with technology; (3) culturally and historically responsive algebra literacy; and (4) teachers' journeys toward antiracism. The author makes connections among research in algebra education; teaching algebra; and leading ambitious, equitable, and antiracist visions for algebra education.

• Contents
• Acknowledgments  
  xi
• 1.  
  What Counts as Meaningful Algebra Learning  
  1
  The Importance of Algebra  
  1
  Big Question  
  2
  My "Why?"  
  3
  What'
  s My Angle? No Angle, but Many Frameworks or Lenses  
  3
  Structure of the Book  
  6
• 2.  
  Learn to Sketch, Sketch to Learn  
  15
  Why Should I Sketchnote?  
  15
  Sketchnoting 101  
  21
  Deepening Your Sketchnoting Practice  
  25
  Math Ed Sketchnotes  
  29
• 3.  
  Algebra Is Something You Do  
  32
  Mainstream Approaches to Doing Algebra  
  33
  Responsive Approaches to Doing Algebra  
  36
  Big Ideas of Algebra as a Course of Study  
  44
  A Recap—
  What Is Algebra?  
  49
• 4.  
  Zoom Setting 1: A Focus on Students'
  Reasoning and Representing in Learning Algebra  
  51
  Learning to "See" Students'
  Representational Fluency  
  53
  Representational Fluency in Equivalence and Equation Solving  
  58
  Learning to "See" Students'
  Quantitative Reasoning  
  62
  "Seeing" Students'
  Functional Thinking  
  66
• 5.  
  Zoom Setting 2: Supporting Students'
  Meaningful Algebra Learning Over Time in Classrooms  
  71
  Supporting Meaningful Equation Solving  
  72
  Visual Story 1: Supporting Students'
  Representational Fluency in Determining Equivalent Expressions With Technology  
  73
  Visual Story 2: Supporting a Functions Approach to Equation Solving  
  82
  Visual Story 3: Supporting the Core Concept of Equations as Equivalence Relations  
  85
  Reflecting on Frameworks of Instructional Supports for Meaningful Learning  
  90
• 6.  
  Zoom Setting 3: People, Place, and Algebra as a Tool for Critical Literacy  
  96
  What Is Historically Responsive Literacy?  
  97
  Visual Story 1: Historically Responsive Literacy Begins With Relationships and Identities  
  99
  Visual Story 2: Thinking Like City Planners (Intellect) and Modeling Trends (Skills)  
  104
  Visual Story 3: Criticality and Emotion  
  107
  Practical Path Forward: People, Place, and Algebra as a Tool for Critical Literacy  
  108
• 7.  
  Journeying Toward Antiracism in Algebra  
  112
  Disproportionality in Algebra for All: An Opportunity Gap  
  113
  Journeying to See Racist Structures (Antiracism 101)  
  115
  Practical Path Forward  
  118
• 8.  
  Tools and Practices for Advancing Algebra Education Together  
  122
  Theme 1: Co-Visioning Meaningful Algebra Learning and Teaching  
  125
  Theme 2: Building Effective Communication  
  126
  Theme 3: Centering the Context, Place, and People of Where You Seek to Understand and Change Students'
  Opportunities to Learn Meaningful Algebra  
  128
  Theme 4: Co-Creating Knowledge in Community-Engaged Scholarship  
  129
  Centering Equity (An Epilogue)  
  133
• References  
  139
• Appendix A. Chapter 2: Additional Sketchnoting Resources  
  147
• Appendix B. Chapter 4: Additional Research  
  149
• Appendix C. Chapter 5: Additional Activity Design Notes  
  151
• Appendix D. Chapter 6: Research and Resources on Historically Responsive Literacy in Math  
  153
• Appendix E. Chapter 7: Toward Antiracism  
  159
• Index  
  169
• About the Author  
  173