Scaffolding
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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…
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Substitution for Systems – Scaffolded
Solving systems of equations using the Substitution Method may be the most task intensive algorithm the students learn. It is easy to overlook concepts as the students attempt the numerous steps. This post provides details about a scaffolded handout that guides students through the mental and conceptual steps, as well as the traditional written steps.…
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Systems Word Problems Scaffolded
Word problems are challenging for many students. Writing a system of equations to model a word problem has unique challenges. This post provides details about a scaffolded handout with color coding can unpack the process for generating the appropriate system of equations. Unpacking the Word Problem A mistake I have witnessed over the years is…
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Power Rules on a Google Jamboard
Exponents and Basic exponent rules are challenging. The Power Rules add another layer of challenge. This post outlines an instructional approach. The original problem is decomposed and then recomposed to show how the underlying concepts of the Power and Power of a Product Rules. Overview The Jamboard is configured in similar fashion as the Jamboard…
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Variable Both Sides Equations Scaffolded
Solving the variable on both sides is the Cerberus of 1 variable linear equations. It has multiple steps, simplifying expressions, and eliminating a variable expression. The later is a new step, added on to all the other steps. This post describes a scaffolded handout to guide students through the mental steps and the written steps.…
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Solving 2-Step Equation Scaffolded
Solving 2-step Equations is an escalation in terms of task demand. Starting in elementary school, they are exposed to math sentences in which there is a single operation. Now they are asked to choose a number to eliminate. This post provides details about a scaffolded handout. It addresses the choice of number to eliminate and…
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Exponent Rules with Jamboard
The Product and Quotient Rules are challenging largely because there are few ways to present them in an accessible format. This post outlines an approach using manipulatives on a Google Jamboard. Jamboard The Jamboard activity involves using moveable variables as manipulatives to provide a hands on approach to learning the rules. The first slide presents…
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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.…
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Introduction to Adding Integers
Operations on integers and integers in general is challenging for many students. Negative numbers are abstract. Whole numbers and fractions can be represented with images. The activity presented draws upon student prior knowledge of thumbs up and down in a vote to make negative more accessible. The following images are from a Jamboard. Here are…
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Customized Number Lines for Handouts
Per request, I created a short video showing how I create customized number lines on WORD. This post also includes a link to a WORD document with 3 customized number lines: time, money with negatives, and miles. Elapsed time The image below is from a post on elapsed time. I wanted to create different time…