Looking at Equations Differently

Dylan Kane posted a blog about having students think differently when solving equations.  Solving equations is taught in a very procedural way.  Students are only taught how to solve equations one way and this limits a student's understanding.  Students should be able to solve equations using inverse operations and looking at a problem thinking, "what value (or values) makes this true?"  This is an important question for students to think.  Dylan also gives examples of problems he would have students solve for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade.  I really enjoyed this concept.  We normally only teach students procedures and how to solve the problem to get the correct answer.  We no longer teach students to think.  We spoon feed students formulas and never have them ask questions.  Students do not ask "why?" anymore. Students should question what they are being taught and should be made to think in different ways.  Students should not be taught just one way.