Generating Initial Codes:
When developing the codes for Algebraic Thinking, the first step I took was accessing the NCTM Standards. I downloaded the standards and wrote down the different standards that were listed. I knew the standards were grades 3-5, but I felt that each standard could be addressed at each grade level, but not as in-depth as in the 5th grade. From there, I looked at CCSD standards and Common Core standards. I found a few additional 3rd grade standards from CCSD and nothing new from Common Core (in the sense that Common Core standards didn’t have anything new that NCTM or CCSD had listed). From there, I took the standards and tried to organize them in a logical way. So, I referred to the resources received from the Algebraic Summer Course and used equalities, relational thinking, conjectures and proof as my concepts. Then, I placed the standards within each of the concepts.
While developing the codes I did consider general topics that third grade students may come across and found my codes to be pretty much complete. I did not closely think about specific examples that typical third grade students may come across. This created holes within my coding and made it incomplete. When going back and revising the codes, I need to be thinking about what specific types of examples students may come across in a variety of texts.
Feelings of Experience
Initially, I did not feel too frustrated by this experience. I tried to use Dr. Olson's example to guide my own coding. It wasn’t frustrating until I posted it and Dr. Shih brought to my attention the lack of completeness. I believe this task would have been easier if I did go through the NCTM algebraic thinking document a bit closer because this document gives examples of the types of thinking students would do with these standards. This may have made my coding more complete. From this process, I did learn the NCTM Algebraic Thinking standards. I knew they had the standards, but I was not quite aware of what they were exactly. In addition, I learned that I need to learn more about algebraic thinking. I have a limited knowledge and need to make it more complete to create my coding.
