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Algebra Lesson Plans

Algebra Lesson Plans

How to teach Algebra using Mangahigh - linear equations

Get your students engaged in simplifying and solving linear equations using Mangahigh’s maths game ‘Jabara’. Students start by collecting constants and dealing with zeros, dynamically seeing the results of algebraic manipulation. They progress onto dealing with unknown terms on both sides of an equation, negative terms, brackets and fractions within linear equations.

Jabara

Lesson idea for teaching linear equations

Example of blended learning lesson

55 MINS

Introduction - 5 mins

Play through the first 10 levels of Jabara with the whole class on the whiteboard. This will introduce them to the basic principles of the game. Challenge the students to predict the outcome of each move in advance.

Activity - 15 mins

Set two ‘Jabara’ activities to your class called ‘Simplifying constants’ and ‘Adding to both sides’. Move through the class offering help where needed and challenge students to explain their solutions. Use your Mangahigh analytics platform to check progress and support struggling target struggling students.

Class discussion - 10 mins

What have they learnt about solving equations? What types of equations have they seen? What might harder equations look like?

Continue activity - 15 mins

Students return to the ‘Jabara’ activities. For the most able, set an additional activity ‘Coefficients, like terms, multiplying constants’. Use your Mangahigh analytics platform to identify any students who have struggled with the first activity ‘Simplifying constants’ and support them or encourage them to work with their peers.

Written assessment - 10 mins

Write 5 equations on the board, students attempt to solve them on paper

How to teach Algebra using Mangahigh - substitute whole numbers into algebra

Introduce your students to algebraic substitution through the use of Mangahigh’s adaptive quiz ‘Substitute whole numbers into algebra’. Students will start with ‘Easy’ questions to help introduce new ideas and then move onto ‘Medium’ questions with some scaffolded support. Students then progress onto ‘Hard’ questions that really test their understanding, and the most able will move on to ‘Extreme’ questions that will challenge even the brightest students.

Lesson idea for teaching substitution of whole numbers into algebra

Example of blended learning lesson

55 MINS

Introduction - 5 mins

On the whiteboard write down three algebraic expressions and associated values for substitution:
3x - 4 where x = 5
2a + 3b where a = 1
2(ab - 1) where a = 0
Discuss the value of each expression. Is it possible to calculate an exact numerical value for each one?

Activity - 15 mins

Set the Mangahigh activity ‘Substitute whole numbers into algebra’. Each time students play through the activity they will answer 10 questions. Encourage students to make at least three attempts, i.e. attempt at least 30 questions. Students will receive a bronze medal award and thus demonstrate they have a secure understanding if they can prove their competency at the hard questions. The most able students might achieve a silver or gold medal by answering extreme questions. Move through the class offering help where needed and challenge students to explain their solutions. Use your Mangahigh analytics platform to check progress and support struggling students.

Class discussion - 10 mins

Play through the activity ’Substitute whole numbers into algebra’ from your Mangahigh teacher platform on the whiteboard with the whole class. Challenges students to explain their solutions

Continue activity - 15 mins

Students return to the ‘Substitute whole numbers into algebra’ activity. For the most able, set an additional activity ‘Substitute whole numbers into algebra using indices’. Use your Mangahigh analytics platform to identify any students who have struggled with the first activity ‘Substitute whole numbers into algebra’ and support them or encourage them to work with their peers.

Written assessment - 10 mins

Ask students to find the missing values in this table for the expression (3a - b). Students attempt to solve them on paper and find more than one solution if possible.
a 2 3 5
b 1 10 6
(3a - b) 7 12 0 2b
Solution
a 2 3 5 6 3a = b a = b
b 1 10 8 6 3a = b a = b
(3a - b) 5 -1 7 12 0 2b

Recognise number patterns and relationships

Explore patterns, properties and relationships involving numbers. Recognise and describe number patterns.

Multiply two brackets together

Test a general statement using numbers

Propose a general statement involving numbers; identify examples for which the statement is true or false.

Inequalities on a number line

Multiply terms

Multiply terms together without brackets or simplify products in brackets to a positive integer power by considering repeated multiplication.

Completing the square

Multiply with two brackets, both form (x+a) or (x-a), including adding and subtracting the results of bracket multiplication in order to simplify. Include squaring a linear bracket of form (x+a) or (x-a).

Represent the solutions of an inequality in one variable on a number line.

Write quadratic expressions in the form (x + a)^2 + b including those with non integer ‘a’ and ‘b.

What teachers say about Mangahigh

We’re loved by both teachers and students globally. Here’s the proof!

Mangahigh turns our students into “maths addicts“ who compete with each other for top scores and gold medals. And since the quizzes reward both accurate recall of knowledge and deep conceptual understanding, every hour they spent having fun makes them better mathematicians. Five stars.

TOM DING

ARK ACADEMY, WEMBLEY, LONDON

I have used Mangahigh in my classroom for over 5 years. What keeps me coming back are the math games and wide range of concepts that are offered. But the best part is the fact that the kids LOVE to play it. I have students beg me to assign them Teacher Challenges! Begging for more math work? I am ok with that!!

RENEE HERNANDEZ

GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, ALLEN, TEXAS

Kids loved it; an ADHD student who has NEVER before been able to focus in the last periods of the day; he wouldn't stop till he got a medal! Absolutely phenomenal! His mother is overjoyed, and the rest of the maths staff room were gobsmacked!

JOSEPH PEACOCK

EMANUEL SCHOOL, NSW

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