Arguing for Access: Teachers’ Perspectives on the Use of Argumentation in Elementary Mathematics

This study investigates teachers’ perspectives on the use of a mathematical argumentation teaching strategy in elementary mathematics in which students disprove mathematical statements they already know to be false. Mathematical argumentation is a process through which students develop an argument about a mathematical concept and rationalize its truth or untruth through mathematical reasoning but is if often underused in mathematics. In this study we focused on a argumentation tasks which involved providing students with number statements which they already knew to be false, and inviting them to argue, using visuals, numeric notation, and/or written explanations, why it was false. Through practical action research, seven teachers from two different schools implemented this approach in their mathematics programs to one hundred and thirty-one students over the course of five months. Findings indicate this approach was easy to implement, improved student engagement, supported learners who struggled and deepened students’ mathematical knowledge. We believe that this approach can be used as a precursor to more formal proofs and provide more access for teachers and students in exploring mathematical proofs in elementary classrooms.