The foundational math skill of simplifying algebraic expressions by combining like terms and the distributive property can be a challenging topic for many students. With this engaging and scaffolded lesson, your students will no longer confuse 2 x with x^2 and will be able to simplify a wide variety of expressions (including those with fractions, decimals, and exponents) with ease! The guided notes break down how to simplify algebraic expressions into easy-to-understand segments with clear