In a year when they usually master single-digit multiplication, Gainesville City Schools' fourth-graders are taking an academic leap forward to solving algebraic equations.

The system has started this week using a technique, "Hands-On Equations," to teach the concepts and work problems in the subject area to all its students in fourth through sixth grades.

"Two or three weeks from now, we are going to have some kids who are very proficient at doing some algebra," said Michael Bull, assistant superintendent for instruction.

Algebra, with its mixture of letters and numbers, usually is served up in higher grades, possibly in seventh or eighth. "The majority of our students don't take algebra until ninth grade," Bull said.

But change is in the air for Georgia's public schools. The state has developed the Georgia Performance Standards, which, when completed, will govern what schools must cover in all subject areas.

"And there's a big focus on algebra in these new curriculum standards," Bull said. "Even though it won't take effect for a few years, that's really why we're starting this with our fourth-graders now.

"We feel like if we can take the next three years and give them at least several weeks each year in our curriculum exposure to algebra, by the time they become seventh-graders ... it will be a lot easier for them to move into the new performance standards."

"Hands-On Equations," developed Henry Borenson of Allentown, Pa., allows for students to learn about algebra in a visual and interactive way.

Using a device resembling a balance, students use chess-like pawns as "X men" and number blocks to display a problem. They then remove an equal number of pawns and identical number blocks from each side of the balance to arrive at the solution.

Students then check their answer after they learn what "X" equals.

In the new instruction, fourth-graders typically will learn basic concepts involving positive numbers, or Level One; fifth-graders, an introduction to negative numbers, or Level Two; and sixth-graders, adding and subtracting positive and negative numbers, or Level Three.

This spring, fifth-graders also are learning Level One and sixth-graders, levels one and two.

"We can have them prepared to take pre-algebra in seventh grade," Bull said. "Maybe in a couple of years, a student could take Algebra I in sixth grade, if they're that gifted. This program will help us discover that."

Jennifer Wimpy, a fourth-grade teacher at New Holland Elementary School, is excited about the program. She praised the game-like approach to teach the subject.

"They don't even realize the advanced level they're working on right now," she said. " ... It just opens up that part of the brain for critical thinking. And they're going to use that part of the brain in other areas, such as reading comprehension and word problems in math."

She encouraged students in her class as she worked through problems Tuesday.

"Algebra is easy, right?" she asked.

"Yes," her students answered.

"Of course it is," she said.

Ten-year-old Nikita Payne said, "I love algebra. It's a good thing to learn."

Doneshia Randolph, a classmate, said of the learning experience, "It's fun."

Bull agreed with Wimpy in that the instruction will help students in other ways. Students who excel in algebra "have a higher success rate in many other academic subjects."

"We won't push it on the child who's not ready for it, but we will certainly have it available for those children who are ready for it."