The Relationship between 9th Grade Students' Symbol Sense Behaviors, Algebraic Thinking Skills and Academic Achievement: A Case Study

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between ninth grade students’ symbol sense behaviors, algebraic thinking skills and academic achievement. To achieve this aim, a qualitative research approach known as case study design was employed. A total of three students studying in a high school in Gümüşhane province constituted the study group of the research. In the study, considering the opinions of the mathematics teacher conducting the course and the academic achievement levels of the students in the mathematics course, one student from each achievement level was selected as low, medium and high academic achievement level. The data were acquired from five research inquiries in the literature and adapted in line accordance with expert perspectives. The data were analyzed using thematic coding with an analysis table prepared in line with expert opinions. Students with high achievement level showed symbol sense behaviors at the desired level by using symbols in a flexible and fluent way, while students with low and medium achievement level could not exhibit symbol sense behaviors at the desired level. Students with high academic achievement have advanced algebraic thinking skills. The algebraic thinking skill behaviors of students with low academic achievement are more in the form of rote stereotyped signs. As a result, students' algebraic thinking skills and symbol sense behaviors were found to be compatible with their academic achievement levels. In addition, it was concluded that there was a positive relationship between algebraic thinking skills and symbol sense behaviors.