A concern for the Swedish students’ knowledge of mathematics, especially in algebra, is formulated in the PISA –rapport (Skolverket, 2012). From this conclusion, an interest was formed to investigate how practicing teachers in Sweden use manipulatives to support students in developing a better understanding of algebra. An interview-based study is presented in this degree project. This study focus on four Swedish teacher’s perspectives on using manipulatives when working with the equality sign in algebra. The purpose of this study is through interviews highlight these teachers' perceptions of manipulatives and ways of working with the material. The result of this study presents a generally positive view on using manipulatives in teaching mathematics, especially working with the equality sign in algebra. The result also presents how the teachers address the importance of developing an understanding of the equality sign.  The teacher’s answers and perspectives on using manipulatives is also confirmed by research and literature. Finally this study marks the significant role of the teacher when students learn and develop an understanding for mathematics. This degree project is analyzed by following questions: -What experience and skills do teachers have with the use of manipulatives when it comes to working with the concepts of the equal sign in algebra?- In which way does the teachers believe that working with manipulatives facilitates an understanding of the equal sign?- What importance do teachers lay on manipulatives regardingthesignificance of the equal sign?

Syftet med denna systematiska litteraturstudie är att undersöka hur elever förstår likhets-tecknets innebörd samt skapa en överblick över undervisningsmetoder som enligt forskning kan anses gynna utvecklingen av elevers förståelse för likhetstecknet. Litteratursökningen utfördes i databasen ERIC. 30 artiklar har sammanställts och analyserats. Studiens resultat indikerar att elevers förståelse för likhetstecknet kan variera mellan flera nivåer mellan den dynamiska och statiska innebörden. Förståelseutvecklingen bör inte ses som rak och förutbestämd. Forsknings-fältet har bidragit med olika metoder lärare kan använda för att guida eleverna i deras lärande. Dessa innefattar både hur och när instruktioner kan ges för att bidra med lärande samt hur lik-heter framställs med hjälp av symboler och andra representationsformer. / The aim of this systematic literature review is to research the most common understandings of the equal sign among children, and teaching methods found effective for developing their understanding. The database ERIC has been used to search for prior published research. Thirty studies are used as the result and foundation for the analysis. The result of this review indicates that there are more levels of understanding than the operational and relational meaning of the equality sign. Several methods to promote the students understanding of the equality sign has been found. They vary from how and when instructions are supposed to be delivered to how equivalence can be presented with symbols and other representations.