"Discrete mathematics and computer science,"
	Equal or Unequal. That is the Question - Gail R. Minichiello, Franklin Intermediate
	This unit is targeted for second grade but can be adapted for grades one through three and used as remedial information for fourth and fifth grades. The unit explains what an equation is and how addition and subtraction problems are equations and how they relate to each other. It explores the commutative law and the associative laws of arithmetic and how using doubles (4+4) helps us solve addition and subtraction problems of near doubles (4+5) or (4+3). It explains that the equal sign (=) is not an operation sign but a sign that represents a balance between things on both sides of it. Students explore and learn that an equation remains balanced only if the same operation is performed on each side of the equal sign. The unit develops the concepts of greater than (>) and less than (<). After using objects to practice making equations and inequalities students are able to understand the abstract concept of number sentences, first with one-digit problems, then increasing to two-digit addition and subtraction problems. It is important that students are introduced to the abstract after working with manipulatives because it is an introduction to True/False statements as being a part of mathematics and not just about numbers. These T/F statements are an introduction to Boolean logic which is the logical relationship among search terms using the operators Or, And, Not.