Properties+of+Algebra

=Properties of Algebra=

This is a discover set of examples...I print it 4 to a page landscape and then cut it so that each pair of students gets one of each card. I have the pairs look at the examples on one card at a time and create a rule. We discuss their rules as a class and then the students completing the sorting activity found below.

Sorting activity for identifying commutative, associative, distributive, and identity properties.

Four Corners Use a list of examples and write one on each card. Have each corner labeled with one of the properties. Students each take a card and determine which corner to go to...have students in the same corner verify that they are in the right place. Mix up cards and have students try a new example.

Angry Birds: Idea shared on an NCTM message board by Jonathan Swotinsky Share the game "Angry Birds"- level 10 specifically at[| http://chrome.angrybirds.com/], where when you touch the blue bird it replicates into 3 blue birds to attack different pigs. Compare the way in which each little blue bird clones into three separate blue birds and "distributes" itself to attack three different green pigs to having a number "cloning" and distributing itself to three different numbers.

=Combining Like Terms=

Crumple and Shoot is a fun game to play in groups. There are many variations. I have the students work in groups of 4-6. Everyone works out the answer to the problem on their paper, except one person from each group who works on a dry erase board. Everyone in the group needs to agree with what answer is recorded (and work shown of course) on the dry erase board for their group. I give groups one minute after the first group finishes to finish working on the problem. After time is called, the groups hold their boards up and a point is given for all correct work/solutions. Discussion and sharing occurs when necessary. Groups that are correct also get a chance to throw a paper ball in to the trash can for an extra point. The dry erase board rotates to another group member for the next problem. These problems are simplifying expressions by applying the distributive property and combining like terms.

This is a two page worksheet - includes basic problems as well as some "application" problems

-Students use number tricks to write and simplify algebraic expressions

- Quiz and homework assignment that cover properties of algebra and simplifying expressions using the properties.