Math Stars
Math Stars: a Problem-Solving Newsletter Grade 7
Put on your thinking caps because middle school math has never been more interesting in this huge resource full of thought provoking questions. Written as a newsletter, the resource has 10 two-page newsletters with a variety of...
CK-12 Foundation
Patterns and Expressions: Cookie Jars
It's okay to get caught with your hand in a virtual cookie jar. Pupils use an interactive to drag cookies from two cookie jars onto a plate. They investigate how an expression representing the number of remaining cookies changes as users...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Generating Polynomials from Patterns
Patterns and polynomials go hand in hand. Budding mathematicians analyze sequences of dot diagrams to discover the patterns in the number of white dots and black dots. They use the identified patterns to write and simplify a polynomial...
Willow Tree
Patterns - Numbers, Shapes, etc.
Find the pattern is the name of the game! Learners examine different patterns represented by numbers, shapes, and words. They must describe the pattern, predict the result in a given position, and find an equation that represents a...
Curated OER
Representing Patterns & Evaluating Expressions
Write algebraic expressions, determine patterns, and evaluate expressions in a real-world context. Learners engage in a series of collaborative activities to identify, model, and give variables for real-world patterns. They write...
Math Stars
Math Stars: A Problem-Solving Newsletter Grade 6
Think, question, brainstorm, and make your way through a newsletter full of puzzles and word problems. The resource includes 10 different newsletters, all with interesting problems, to give class members an out-of-the box math experience.
National Security Agency
Growing Patterns: Practical Pattern Problems
Your learners explore growing patterns by describing, extending, creating, and evaluating practical pattern problems in this three-day collaborative unit. Beginning with concrete patterns and function tables to extend and describe with a...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Sidewalk Patterns
Sidewalk patterns ... it's definitely not foursquare! Learners investigate patterns in sidewalk blocks, write an expression to represent the pattern, and then solve problems using the expressions.
Curated OER
Patterns and Algebra - Modeling
Seventh grade math is so much fun! They solve 10 different problems that include using patterns to complete a table, describe the pattern, and identify the specific term in the pattern for each. Then they give a description of the...
EngageNY
Algebraic Expressions—The Distributive Property
Do your classes truly understand the distributive property? Use a demonstrative lesson to represent the distributive property in various ways. Learners solidify understanding by creating a geometric pattern for distributive property, and...
Curated OER
Exploring Expressions
Examine parts of an expression in this algebra lesson. Ninth graders identify the properties of the coefficient and their behavior to the graph. They graph the equation on a TI to see their results.
Mathematics Assessment Project
Sidewalk Stones
One block, two blocks, white blocks, gray blocks. In the high school assessment task, learners investigate patterns of sidewalk stones to develop a quadratic expression for each colored block. Young mathematicians then use the expression...
EngageNY
Multiplying and Factoring Polynomial Expressions (part 2)
If you can multiply binomials, you can factor trinomials! This is the premise for a lesson plan on factoring. Pupils look for patterns in the binomials they multiply and apply them in reverse. Examples include leading coefficients of one...
Curated OER
Patterns in the Multiplication Table
Explore patterns in the multiplication table in order to deepen your third graders' understanding of this essential skill. Implement this activity as a whole-class lesson, allowing young scholars to work in pairs or small groups to...
Illustrative Mathematics
Kitchen Floor Tiles
An interesting way to look at the kitchen floor is to count the number of tiles in the border. Fred starts with four white floor tiles and writes an expression for the number of tiles needed for the colored border. Algebra learners are...
EngageNY
Dividing by (x – a) and (x + a)
Patterns in math emerge from seemingly random places. Learners explore the patterns for factoring the sum and differences of perfect roots. Analyzing these patterns helps young mathematicians develop the polynomial identities.
K20 LEARN
Didn’t We Already Learn That Pattern? Functions/Arithmetic Sequences
Just how many toothpicks does the pattern take? After watching a video of someone building a pattern with toothpicks, groups create methods to find the number of toothpicks needed to accomplish that task. Groups either use explicit...
PBS
From Patterns of Input and Output to Algebraic Equations
Watch video clips titled, "Frog Hops Part I" and "Frog Hops Part II," then discuss patterns demonstrated in the videos. Learners will complete an algebraic expressions and equations handout and discuss the answers. They will be able to...
Curated OER
Half Math Quilt
Help your third graders become familiar with equivalent fractions for one-half by having them create a quilt. They will use triangles to create a quilt of equivalent fractions over a period of 6 days. As they create the quilt pieces they...
Inside Mathematics
Hexagons
Scholars find a pattern from a geometric sequence and write the formula for extending it. The learning exercise includes a table to complete plus four analysis questions. It concludes with instructional implications for the teacher.
Curated OER
Completing the Square
Solve equations by completing the square. The pupils factor quadratic equations and graph the parabola. They also identify the different terms in the equation and look for patterns.
Cabrillo College
Elementary Algebra
Hello Algebra! If you're in need of a resource with a books worth of examples and practice problems, this is it. Some topics include linear equations, polynomials and exponents, rational expressions, quadratic equations, and a great...
EngageNY
Advanced Factoring Strategies for Quadratic Expressions (part 1)
Factoring doesn't have to be intimidating. Build on prior knowledge of multiplying binomials and factoring simple trinomials to teach advanced factoring of quadratic expressions with a lesson that uses various methods of exploring the...
Education Development Center
Extending Patterns with Exponents
Don't think negatively about exponents. Young mathematicians dissect a fictional conversation between pupils trying to evaluate an expression with a negative exponent. This allows them to understand the meaning of negative exponents.