Algebra Readiness Made Easy Grade 1

INTRODUCTION

diagrams, graphs, pictures, and tables—and answer questions about them. As they work on the

problems, children learn and practice the following problem-solving strategies:

• making lists or cases of possible solutions and testing those solutions


• identifying, describing, and generalizing patterns


• working backward


• reasoning logically


• reasoning proportionally

The development of problem-solving strategies and algebraic concepts is linked to the

development of number concepts and skills. As children solve the problems in this book,

they’ll practice counting, computing, applying concepts of place value and number theory, and

reasoning about the magnitudes of numbers.

Throughout this book, we emphasize the language of mathematics. This language includes

terminology (e.g., odd number, variable) as well as symbols (e.g., >, <). Children will see the

language in the problems and illustrations and use the language in their discussions and

written descriptions of their solution processes.

How to Use This Book

Inside this book you’ll find six problem sets—each composed of nine problems featuring the

same type of data display (e.g., diagrams, scales, and arrays of numbers)—that focus on one or

more problem-solving strategies and algebraic concepts.

Each set opens with an overview of the type of

problems/tasks in the set, the algebra and problem-

solving focus, the number concepts or skills needed to

solve the problems, the math language that is

emphasized in the problems, and guiding questions to be

used with the first two problems of the set to help

children grasp the key concepts and strategies.

The first two problems in each set are designed to be

discussed and solved in a whole-class setting. The first,

“Solve the Problem,” introduces children to the type of

display and problem they will encounter in the rest of

the set. We suggest that you have children work on this

first problem individually or in pairs before you engage

in any formal instruction. Encourage children to wrestle

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Ima Thinker

FISHY PRICES

Name _____________________________________________ Date __________________

How much does each fish cost?

Match each price tag with its fish.

I’ll start with

Flash. His price tag

has the least

number.

1.How much does Flash cost? __

2.How much does Bronco cost? __

3.How much does Arty cost? __

4.How much less does Flash cost than Arty? __

I cost $2 more

than Flash.

I cost $1 less

than Bronco.

I cost the least.

Arty

Flash

Bronco

SOLVE

THE

PROBLEM

$

$

$

Algebra Readiness Made Easy: Grade 1 © Greenes, Findell & Cavanagh, Scholastic Teaching Resources