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algebraic expressions

  • Simplifying Algebraic Expressions with Negatives by Eating Tacos and Burritos

    Simplifying Algebraic Expressions with Negatives by Eating Tacos and Burritos

    Here is a link to the Intro to Simplifying (no negatives). Link to the Google Slides used to present the simplifying. Link to a Youtube video showing how it works. Link to a Facebook Reel showing how it works.

  • Intro to Simplifying Algebraic Expressions with Tacos and Burritos

    Intro to Simplifying Algebraic Expressions with Tacos and Burritos

    Here is a Facebook Reel showing how the slides are presented. Here is a link to a YouTube video showing how the slides are presented. Here is a link to the Google Slides seen in the video. Make a copy in order to edit.

  • Simplify Expressions Scaffolded Handout

    Simplify Expressions Scaffolded Handout

    I have found simplying expressions to be one of the most challenging Algebra 1 topics. This post shows a scaffolded handout approach to simplifying. Scaffolding Like Terms I have attempted to provide a deeper understanding of “like terms” in this post. This handout may be a useful follow up or it may be the entry…

  • Solving 1 Step Equations Scaffolded

    Solving 1 Step Equations Scaffolded

    Students start work on solving equations in 6th grade. They work on it in 7th and 8th and into algebra classes in high school and college. Despite this, many struggle at all levels with solving. I have witnessed and heard about this at each level. This post addresses one possible reason, which is the students…

  • Solve Equations with Like Terms Scaffolded

    Solve Equations with Like Terms Scaffolded

    Many students struggle with solving equations. Many struggle with simplifying expressions. Putting these together becomes an algebraic version or Orthrus (brother to the more famous 3-headed dog, Cerberus). This post shares a scaffolded handout to guide students through the process while making sense of each step. Explanation of Handout The first two are mental steps.…

  • Combining Like Terms – From Concrete to Symbolic Form

    Combining Like Terms – From Concrete to Symbolic Form

    Here is a Jamboard (see photo at very bottom for how to make a copy to edit) that presents like terms as visual manipulatives and then eases into the symbolic form – the “mathy” stuff. The following shows each slide as is and how it looks after completion. Start with two groups of common items,…