Introducing Algebra

Building a venture conceptual agreement of algebra is absolutely fundamental. As alongside fractions, it's essential that nosotros acquire it correct because it underpins in addition to hence much of what follows. But, equally alongside fractions, pupils tin actually create do here.

Sometimes practiced educational activity resources inspire us when we're looking for ways to construction in addition to deliver our teaching. This post service contains around recommendations that may plough over you lot nutrient for sentiment when you’re planning your lessons.

Misconceptions
Before educational activity whatsoever topic for the start fourth dimension it's actually of import to intend close potential misconceptions. The best matter a pupil instructor or NQT tin do is inquire an experienced teacher. This algebra misconception summary is also helpful. 

The start fourth dimension I taught algebra, I used this true/false activity to discover whatsoever outstanding misconceptions inwards the concluding lesson of the sequence. As a newbie teacher, I was astounded yesteryear the mistakes pupils made, similar putting both of these cards inwards the 'true' column:

This activity provided a practiced chance to own got private discussions alongside pupils in addition to attention them brand sense of it all. So it’s useful both equally a learning sense in addition to for formative assessment.

I'm non stalking him, promise
I've featured resources from Don Steward inwards almost every spider web log post service I've written. I brand no apologies for this. His website is amazing. Here's a few highlights from his algebra collection:

• Lengthy expressions is a squeamish means to acquire pupils used to forming expressions containing letters in addition to numbers.
• Expression pyramids are an engaging means to practise simplifying in addition to this activity is a perfect extension.
• In Steps, pupils own got to create upward one's hear what pace has been taken to acquire from 1 appear to the adjacent (see below).
• Six expressions is a rich activity for pupils who've been taught how to expand unmarried brackets.
• Three sets of first-class activities attention students explore concepts relating to simplifying in addition to equivalence: 'equivalence', 'same in addition to transformed' and 'equivalent things'.

Steps - Median Don Steward

There's lots to a greater extent than on Median Don Steward - expect nether the labels algebra, simplifying, expressions in addition to substitution.

Fawn Nguyen’s Noah’s Ark
This is a lovely activity which gets pupils used to the sentiment of representing values alongside letters (or pictures inwards this case).

Noah's Ark yesteryear Fawn Nguyen

Visual representations
'I'm thinking of a number' questions are a practiced means to acquire started alongside solving equations. MathsPad had a squeamish card sort that makes the link betwixt words in addition to algebra. MathsPad also features a worksheet that uses visual representations to cook an agreement of how to solve equations. The same approach is taken to rearranging formulae - this lesson plan features their make of associated resources.

MathsPad

More ideas

• These slides from newmrsc (@_z_0_e) on TES are actually practiced for a start expect at algebra.
• For substitution, I similar this code breaker from Teachit Maths (and this minute code breaker, which involves harder expressions). Substitution scenarios is squeamish too.
• algebra resources library. Do comment below or tweet me if you lot own got whatsoever to a greater extent than resources or ideas to add.

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