Concrete-to-Representational-to-Abstract (CRA) Sequence of Instruction

The Concrete-to-Representational-to-Abstract (CRA) sequence of instruction is a multisensory algebra teaching model for middle school students (sixth and seventh grade) in inclusive settings, including students with and without math difficulties. The intervention teaches five algebra skills over 19 lessons: reducing expressions, solving inverse operations, solving inverse operations with negative and divisor unknowns, solving linear functions with unknowns on one side, and solving linear functions with unknowns on both sides. Students learn through three stages: concrete (physical manipulation of objects), representational (pictorial drawings), and abstract (Arabic numerals). Each skill receives 3-4 lessons delivered in 50-minute class periods using explicit instruction components (advanced organizer, modeling, guided practice, independent practice). Teachers received one-day initial training plus weekly follow-up meetings during implementation.