Powerful Algebra 1 Teaching Strategy 

Example-based Problem Sets for Algebra 1 

Common algebra assignments give students plenty of practice solving problems but little or no practice with mathematical argumentation.

AlgebraByExample gives students practice solving problems and practice modeling, analyzing, critiquing and articulating mathematical arguments.
Math teachers know that some mathematical mistakes are made over and over again. Research suggests these kind of repeated errors are often due to students' underlying misconceptions.

Teachers and researchers worked in partnership to create AlgebraByExample assignments that:

  • Target students’ misconceptions
  • Effectively remediate repeated errors
  • Fit flexibly with many different textbooks and teaching styles
  • Support the Common Core Practice Standards
  • Promote students’ spontaneous mathematical discussions

AlgebraByExample helps students:

  • Identify, discuss, and reduce misconceptions
  • Deepen correct conceptual understanding
  • Strengthen procedural skills

AlgebraByExample provides teachers:

  • Insights into students' thinking
  • Launch points for mathematically rich discussion
  • Shared language for analyzing mistakes

Stories from teachers about how AlgebraByExample works in the classroom

Teachers say AlgebraByExample is...

a conversation starter

student-friendly

informative

thought-provoking

motivational

useful

flexible

applicable

ready-to-use

easy-to-understand

DEEP

communicative

Related Products:
Problem Sets of Worked Examples
MathByExample consists of 4th and 5th grade math problems that students are asked to analyze and explain in order to help them dislodge stubborn misconceptions.

GeometryByExample

With GeometryByExample, students study correct and incorrect examples of geometry problems and answer questions that specifically target common errors and misconceptions. These assignments do much more than just give students practice – they encourage students to think critically about the geometry concepts and procedures and to confront common misconceptions.

Observation Checklist and Tool
The 5x8 Card is an observation tool designed to focus school principals on “Student Vital Actions” associated with the Common Core’s Standards for Mathematical Practice.

Development of AlgebraByExample was led by Julie Booth (Temple University) through a SERP collaboration with the Minority Student Achievement Network (MSAN). The SERP-MSAN partnership has been supported to conduct this work by The Goldman Sachs Foundation and by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, through Grant R305A100150 to Strategic Education Research Partnership Institute. The information provided does not represent views of the funders.

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