Theoretical issues and educational strategies for encouraging teachers to promote a linguistic and metacognitive approach to early algebra

After an overview of the studies which led to the rise of the study of early algebra, we sketch our vision of this disciplinary area and of its teaching from a linguistic and socio-constructive point of view. We take into account the teacher’s role in the socio-constructive teaching process and stress the importance of reflect- ing upon the teaching and learning processes in order to reshape the teacher’s ways of being in the classroom. We dwell upon the strategies enacted and describe the tools we have shaped: theoretical, for the enculturation of early algebra teachers, and methodological, which aim at promoting their awareness and control of their action. We conclude with some considerations about the value of the tools and modalities we have used, as well as on the factors which determine their efficacy.