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Idea Library Hear from the Experts August 2014

With Second and First Grade Math Activities, Study Finds Concepts Matter

Teaching concepts, not just skills, helps elementary students in math, study says

"Fyfe said that typically, math instruction has been based more on skills rather than on understanding the concepts underlying those procedures. She said that her take-away is that some instruction on concepts, rather than just skills, benefits students’ mathematics problem-solving. But, she said, students also need the chance to apply concepts and practice skills."

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This study done by Vanderbilt University and the University of Louisville examined children’s ability to learn just math skills and procedures versus explaining the underlying concepts beforehand. It found that children were more likely to arrive at correct answers if they understood the concept before learning the procedure. It also points to an often incomplete understanding of equality.

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