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Development of symbol sense

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  • Espresso
  • Development of symbol sense
  • Espresso
  • 45: Teaching logical reasoning
  • 44: Development of symbol sense
  • 43: Factors, multiples and prime numbers
  • 42: Division and multiplication
  • 41: Rich data sets
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06 October 2022

An infographic showing six components of symbol sense

What does research suggest about the development of symbol sense?

  • Symbols are tools or referents to help create meaning and express relationships; for example, numerals, arithmetic operators, and the equal sign, as well as pictorial representations, icons and gestures
  • Symbol sense (sometimes called structure sense) refers to using symbols with understanding, including when to use symbols and choosing usefully between them as part of a process of meaning-making
  • Using symbol sense is foundational to the development of early algebraic thinking, in particular moving from a local focus to a global, more whole-centred viewpoint
  • Symbol sense may be supported by students exploring the purpose and consequences of creating their own representations or graphics from an early age
  • Carefully chosen ICT tools can help support the development of symbol sense, as can an attitude of patience towards incomplete understanding and uncertainty
  • Exploring quantity in terms of equivalence and balancing nested structures such as mobiles may also support symbol sense development
  • Successful manipulation of symbolic expressions does not necessarily imply symbol sense; classroom culture should prioritise conceptual as well as procedural understanding in order to develop symbol sense
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