Equivalence and Equations in the Early Years - Elizabeth Warren

This reading from 'Young Children' explores the importance of language when investigating equivalence with young children. Through the use of pan or balance beams it identifies ways to create equivalent equations which is crucial to the development of algebraic thinking.

Algebra in the Early Years - Jennifer Taylor Cox 

This reading from 'Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom' explores how children can construct knowledge about each of the major components of algebra through play. It explores how they can discover patterns in everyday items and also find algebra in stories, songs, poems, and finger plays as numerous stories are constructed around predictable change, mathematical situations and structures, and models of quantitative relationships. The opportunities for algebraic thinking are nearly endless.

Promoting repeating patterns with younger children: More than just colours!  Marina Papic 

"Marina Papic explains how experiences in the early years of schooling should focus on identifying, justifying and transferring various patterns using a variety of materials if a sound understanding of patterning is to develop in students. "

Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom 12(3), 2007

**NEW** Two of everything-Developing functional thinking in the primary grades through children’s literature.  Tracey Muir, Leicha Bragg & Sharon Livy 

"The concept of functional thinking as a foundational idea associated with algebraic thinking is explored by Tracey Muir, Leicha Bragg and Sharyn Livy. They provide ideas for using children’s literature as a context to promote functional thinking."

Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom 20(1), 2015

Top Drawer AAMT

This website explores the important information you should know when exploring pattern from Foundation to Grade 3 including: 

• Big Ideas

• Misunderstandings 

• Good Teaching

• Assessment

• Activities

What is Algebra? nz maths

This website gives some background and insight into Algebra.