Peers Influence Mathematics Strategy Use in Early Elementary School

This study examined the impact of performance goals on arithmetic strategy use in first graders, and also how same-sex peer groups contributed to the selection of strategies used by elementary school children. It was hypothesized that early emerging gender differences in strategy use, with boys preferring retrieval and cognitive strategies and girls preferring to use manipulatives, are a function of performance goals and peer group valuing of strategies. Using a sample of 75 first grade students, data were collected at three different time-points throughout the school year. Hierarchical linear regression and repeated measures ANCOVAs indicated that performance goals predicted an increase in the use of retrieval and cognitive strategies, but only in boys. Accuracy in performance and an increased use of retrieval and cognitive strategies were found in all-boy groups, but this effect was not found in all-girl groups. The study identifies performance goals and peers as playing a persuasive role in the use of retrieval and cognitive strategies for boys. Neither variable seems to explain girls’ preference for manipulative-based strategies.