ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the all-pervasive nature of algebra within mathematics. It shows how algebraic thinking can be developed from the moment that a learner enters school and that young children have a natural aptitude towards classifying and then making generalisations based on their observations of the world around them. This natural aptitude can be drawn on in school to develop their algebraic thinking further. The chapter develops cross-curricular activities which one can explore with their learners over a series of lessons. In 2009 a team of researchers including Anne Watson shared the research they had carried out exploring how children learn mathematics. They described the nature of school-level algebra. Professor Jo Boaler from Stanford University has put together a massive open online course (MOOC) called 'How To Learn Math' and several of the videos explore the learning and teaching of algebra with a focus on generalisation.
