A Case Study on the Changes in the Levels of Arithmetical Thinking and Transition to Algebraic Thinking of a 7th Grader who was an Underachiever in Number and Operation

Abstract

Arithmetic and algebra are considered to be the most basic and core contents in school mathematics. However, many students in elementary and middle school have difficulties in arithmetic and algebra learning, and immense studies have been carried out in the field of mathematics education to solve these problems. The present study is a follow-up study which was conducted following the previous study conducted on a student who had difficulties in number and operation domain. This study investigated the manner in which the level of arithmetical thinking changed and how the transition from arithmetical thinking to algebraic thinking occurred after that student spent a year studying mathematics in middle school. Based on the results of the analysis, we suggest several implications for teaching and learning of number and operation domain at elementary and middle school in terms of the development of arithmetical thinking.