Curated OER
Substitute into Simple Expressions
Learners simplify simple equations. Using a maze game, young mathematicians speculate about the size of different algebraic values and what other equivalent expressions might look like. It is a nice beginning activity for introducing...
PHET
Expression Exchange
Bank on your ability to write equivalent expressions. Scholars use an interactive to create expressions using coins. They then convert these to algebraic expressions and figure out how to evaluate them. A game with various difficulty...
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,...
Curated OER
Number Lines, Variables, Solving for One Variable
Review basic algebraic rules of addition of integers. Then have the class define a variable and explore methods of solving equations with one variable. They observe solving expressions using inverse operations and simplifying solutions....
Utah Education Network (UEN)
Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
Sixth and seventh graders explore the concept of simplifying algebraic expressions. They review the order of operations and apply properties to simplify and compare them. The author suggests using a "Boxes Game" as a motivator to get...
EngageNY
Chance Experiments, Sample Spaces, and Events
Want a leg up on the competition? Show classes how to use mathematics to their advantage when playing games. Learners calculate probabilities to determine a reasonable scoring strategy for a game.
BW Walch
Creating Linear Inequalities in One Variable
Just when a young mathematician starts to feel comfortable turning word problems into linear equations, shake things up and throw inequalities in the mix. This excellent, instructive presentation takes the steps for solving an equality...
National Security Agency
It's Probably Probable
Learners make predictions and draw conclusions from given information as they learn the meaning of probability in this vocabulary-rich, integrated activity that presents a variety of teaching strategies to motivate and reach all learning...
EngageNY
Writing and Expanding Multiplication Expressions
Find out what's so standard about standard form. Scholars learn to write multiplication expressions with variables in the 10th lesson in a series of 36. They use different symbols for multiplication and translate between standard and...
Curated OER
Polynomials in The Magical World of Numbers
Students identify and describe polynomials and their elements, discuss simple parts that make up equations, inequalities, and exponents, take notes on definitions of terms and their types, including monomials, binomials, and trinomials,...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Battle to the Death: Adding Integers
Young scholars explore the concept of adding integers. In this adding integers lesson, students simulate the battle of the 300 spartans at Thermopylae. Young scholars use colored game pieces to represent positive and negative numbers. ...
Curated OER
From Probability to Combinatorics and Number Theory
Middle schoolers see how division is used to help solve probability problems. They use tables as data structures where they are used to count outcomes and to compute probabilities. Students use games to help solve probability problems.
Curated OER
Getting Students to Understand Why Learning Mathematical Concepts is Important
You can give a fresh response to that perennial question "when will we ever use this, anyway."
Curated OER
The 3R's: Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities
Eighth graders complete seven work stations that highlight math activities while they focus on the rules for Internet use and classroom rules for working in cooperative groups. After completing the activities, they complete a self-...