Curated OER
Algebraic Thinking - Equations
Fifth graders explore equality and inequality by participating in a Tilt/Balance activity. The students listen to the story "Lemonade for Sale" by Stuart J. Murphy and use equations to graph lemonade sale profits.
Curated OER
Algebra Wizards
Second graders are exposed to algebraic thinking by exploring the concept of a variable. They tell how many years have passed since they've seen a favorite teacher and then examine how they arrived at this number. They write equations.
Organization for Educational Technology & Curriculum
Introduction to Variables and Algebraic Expressions
Begin your next algebra unit with this introductory lesson on variables and algebraic expressions. This plan requires a SMART board and includes a SMART notebook file. The file contains a guiding question and two learning activities that...
Delaware Math Cadre Elementary Committee
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
How to use the relationship between multiplication and division to solve math word problems is the focus of the activity presented here. In it, fourth graders work in groups to solve problems posed by the teacher. Then, each group is...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Evaluating Functions Graphically and Algebraically
High schoolers evaluate functions graphically and algebraically. After completing that step, they write a statement describing the input and output.
Kentucky Department of Education
Multiplication Grade 3 Formative Assessment Lesson
Guide multiplication lesson plan instruction with a formative assessment. Mathematicians are given two multiplication problems to solve and represent using the area model, equal groups, repeated addition, and word problems. Following the...
Curated OER
The Value of a Number
Learners assess informal methods to solve real-world problems that utilize simple equations that involve one variable. They incorporate concrete objects to assist them in the solving of a variety of equations. The students are actively...
Virginia Department of Education
Exponents
Expand your knowledge of exponents with an activity that promotes critical thinking and comparison skills. Middle and high schoolers compare numbers written in expanded and exponential form and explain their strategies for solving...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Generalizing Patterns: The Difference of Two Squares
After completing an assessment task where they express numbers as the difference of squares (i.e., 9 = 5^2 – 4^2), class members note any patterns that they see in the problems.
Jordan School District
Picture Frames and Algebra
Middle schoolers create a method for finding the area of a fame for a picture and then transfer their shared methods into algebraic expressions. They develop the algebraic language to communicate and solve problems effectively and use...
Curated OER
Picture Frames and Algebra
Students evaluate the area of a picture frame and write algebraic representations. In this algebra lesson, students work in groups to find the area of different picture frames. Students then write algebraic expressions and present then...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Modeling Motion: Rolling Cups
Connect the size of a rolling cup to the size of circle it makes. Pupils view videos of cups of different sizes rolling in a circle. Using the videos and additional data, they attempt to determine a relationship between cup measurements...
Curated OER
Real Life Algebra
Learners investigate where in their everyday life math is used. In this algebra lesson, students describe linear transformation as it relates to business and sales. They relate area and perimeter to their yard or garden, as well as...
Curated OER
Patterns, Functions, and Algebra: Wired for Space
Learners assess how patterns, functions and algebra can assist NASA engineers design new ways of propelling spacecrafts. They explore how electricity and magnetism are replacing the fuel-consuming rocket propulsion. Electromagnetism is...
National Security Agency
A Balancing Act: Solving Multi-Step Equations
Wow! Put on that thinking cap and solve multi-step equations. To solve equations, learners review the use of the distributive property and combining like terms. This three-day activity comes with about 20 pages of worksheets, warm-ups,...
Virginia Department of Education
Spring Fling Carnival
Think critically — and linearly by applying linear equations to solve real-world problems. Young mathematicians write equations to model the profit on popcorn and cotton candy at a carnival and solve problems using these equations.
Curated OER
Bagel Algebra
Ninth graders apply proportional reasoning to a real-life situation. In this Algebra I lesson, 9th graders explore a series of equations that relate to a display sign that compares the owner’s bagels to competitors bagels. Students...
Virginia Department of Education
Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
Introduce pupils to the two types of reasoning, inductive and deductive. Classmates work in pairs or small groups to learn the difference between the two and apply these reasonings to develop valid conclusions.
EngageNY
Linear Equations in Disguise
In the eighth segment of a 33-part unit, learners look at equations that do not appear to be linear at first glance. The equations are proportions where the numerators and denominators may have more than one term. To round out the...
Curated OER
Mathematics Within: Algebraic Processes and Its Connections to Geometry
Students analyze multiple strategies of multiplication: clustering, area model, breaking apart/decomposing, etc. They create their own strategies to approaching multiplication problems and share them with their classmates. Discussion...
Shodor Education Foundation
Cross Sections
Use this activity on cross-sections of three-dimensional shapes in your math class to work on algebra or geometry Common Core standards. The lesson includes a list of relevent terminology, and a step-by-step process to illustrate the...
Curated OER
Find A System
Learners must think critically about the graphical and algebraic forms of a system of linear equations in order to come up with their own system when given a point that is the solution to the system.
NASA
What's the Frequency, Roy G. Biv?
While all light travels at the same speed, each color in the visible light spectrum contains a different wavelength and frequency. Scholars determine the relationship between frequency and wavelength as they complete the activity. They...
Ohio Department of Education
I Can Do This! Systems of Equations
Use tables, graphs, and substitution to solve systems of linear equations. An envelope of sample problems is passed around the classroom, and each learner has the opportunity to solve the system in the envelope. This is a great way to...