MathCoach

This activity is based on the children's book The King's Chessboard by David Birch. The story provides a rich problem for children to explore patterns that are not linear. While much of the pattern is within the reach of intermediate students, I have added an extension for middle school students who are studying exponential equations. The King's Chessboard is one activity out of a unit called Solving Algebra and Pattern Problems. Included is the lesson, student explorations sheets, answers a

When students are first learning algebra concepts, one of the most difficult skills is changing a problem situation to an algebraic equation. Algebraic Equations Bingo gives them practice in a game format. Algebraic Equations Bingo is one activity out of a unit called Solving Algebra and Pattern Problems. This activity includes 30 Bingo calling cards, 4 pre-made Bingo cards, a Student Practice Sheet to work out all the problems first and a blank Bingo card to fill out themselves.

Solving Algebra and Pattern Problems is a collection of 11 activities that introduce, reinforce and provide practice for students in using algebraic equations to solve problems and define patterns. Each activity is hands-on, engaging and easily adapted to provide for differentiation at many levels. Four of the activities combine algebra with engaging children's books. Included are all 11 activities, teacher notes for the lessons, directions for each, game cards, game boards and anything else

The traditional Christmas song The Twelve Days of Christmas is a rich problem solving opportunity for students at many grade levels. This activity is directed at intermediate level students, but can be extended to middle and high school students with the addition of finding the formulas for gifts each day and total gifts. However, even without the formulas for triangular and tetrahedral numbers, it is a wonderful pattern activity.

This activity uses "function machines" to demonstrate evaluating algebraic expressions by substituting numbers for variables. Function Machines is one activity out of a unit called Solving Algebra and Pattern Problems. Included in this activity are 4 Student Practice Sheet, 1 demonstration Function Machine, directions for teaching the lesson and 2 blank Student Practice Sheets students can use for making their own functions.

Shape Patterns is an activity out of a unit called Solving Algebra and Pattern Problems. Students work with tile patterns to find a rule or formula for determining the total number of tiles in any term of the pattern. The terms variable and constant make sense when related to the concrete experience with the tiles. Included is the lesson notes for the teacher, three student explorations sheets, answers and a blank pattern sheet for more teacher created patterns or student created patterns.

What's in the Bag? is an activity out of a unit called Solving Algebra and Pattern Problems. This lesson provides an introduction to equations, equality, variables and constants. It is an engaging whole group activity that helps students develop a sense about algebra before they engage in more abstract concepts. Included are the Teacher's notes for the lesson and 24 equations with integer cards for the balance scale. All you need are small paper sacks and treats to put in them

Two of Everything is an activity out of a unit called Solving Algebra and Pattern Problems. It is based on the children's story Two of Everything by Lily Toy Hong. The story provides the situation for students to explore a doubling pattern. Included are the lesson notes for the teacher, student exploration questions and answers.

These cards contain one-step equations and their solutions. They can be used with individual students, partners or in a whole group activity. They make a more engaging way for students to get practice solving equations. This set contains 35 equation cards, 35 solution cards and blank cards for you to make different equations, or have students make and solve their own.

Solve It! is an activity out of a unit called Solving Algebra and Pattern Problems. Students use simple equations to solve word problems to advance around the game board. The game provides much needed practice in applying algebraic equations to the solution of real life problems. Included are the lesson notes for the teacher, 36 game cards, a game board and blank game cards for students to write their own word problems for the game.

What is a more engaging way to introduce variables and equations to students than using a magic trick? Equation Magic is one activity out of a unit called Solving Algebra and Pattern Problems. Student use manipulatives to represent a series of algebraic manipulations and learn to record their steps using variables and equations. At the same time, the idea of equality is reinforced at each step of the magic trick. Because of the concrete use of manipulatives, this activity can span several gr

One Duck Stuck is one activity out of a unit called Solving Algebra and Pattern Problems. Using this engaging children's story, students explore the sum of consecutive integers in a developmentally appropriate way. Using tiles to model the story, they are introduced to a strategy for determining the sum of any number of consecutive integers. Included is the lesson, student response sheets and answers.

When students are first learning algebra concepts, one of the most difficult skills is changing a problem situation to an algebraic equation. Algebraic Equations Bingo gives them practice in a game format. Algebraic Equations Bingo is one activity out of a unit called Solving Algebra and Pattern Problems. This activity includes 30 Bingo calling cards, 4 pre-made Bingo cards, a Student Practice Sheet to work out all the problems first and a blank Bingo card to fill out themselves. Common Co