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Drawing on rich classroom observations of educators teaching in China and the U.S., this book details an innovative and effective approach to teaching algebra at the elementary level, namely, "teaching through example-based problem solving" (TEPS). Recognizing young children’s particular cognitive and developmental capabilities, this book powerfully argues for the importance of infusing algebraic thinking into early grade mathematics teaching and illustrates how this has been achieved by teachers in U.S. and Chinese contexts. Documenting best practice and students’ responses to example-based instruction, the text demonstrates that this TEPS approach – which involves the use of worked examples, representations, and deep questions – helps students learn and master fundamental mathematical ideas, making it highly effective in developing algebraic readiness and mathematical understanding.This text will benefit post-graduate students, researchers, and academics in the fields of mathematics, STEM, and elementary education, as well as algebra research more broadly. Those interested in teacher education, classroom practice, and developmental and cognitive psychology will also find this volume of interest.

Drawing on rich classroom observations of educators teaching in China and the U.S., this book details an innovative and effective approach to teaching algebra at the elementary level, namely, "teaching through example-based problem solving" (TEPS). Recognizing young children’s particular cognitive and developmental capabilities, this book powerfully argues for the importance of infusing algebraic thinking into early grade mathematics teaching and illustrates how this has been achieved by teachers in U.S. and Chinese contexts. Documenting best practice and students’ responses to example-based instruction, the text demonstrates that this TEPS approach – which involves the use of worked examples, representations, and deep questions – helps students learn and master fundamental mathematical ideas, making it highly effective in developing algebraic readiness and mathematical understanding.This text will benefit post-graduate students, researchers, and academics in the fields of mathematics, STEM, and elementary education, as well as algebra research more broadly. Those interested in teacher education, classroom practice, and developmental and cognitive psychology will also find this volume of interest.

This elementary mathematics resource outlines a pedagogical approach known as Teaching Through Example-Based Problem Solving (TEPS) and presents pre-service teachers with an effective way to instruct early algebra. Using contrasting cases to illustrate inverse relations and the basic properties of operations, it breaks down an often controversial “gatekeeper” for students’ mathematical learning and strengthens their algebraic thinking.Conventional algebraic teaching often relies on a “show-and-tell” approach or focuses on surface-level questions, overlooking opportunities for student cognitive engagement and deep learning. Yet, TEPS integrates real-world contexts with concreteness fading and employs deep questioning to promote students’ engagement and understanding. Each case in this illuminating book contains two lesson scripts or sub-cases: one illustrating the TEPS approach and the other demonstrating a more “traditional” approach, offering teachers opportunities to compare and optimize their own teaching. Ideal for use in pre-service elementary math methods courses, and for teacher professional development as a supplement to any elementary math textbook, this book and the TEPS approach empower teachers to meaningfully engage students in an often daunting subject area.