Collecting like terms algebra game
Download a ZIP file containing a MS Powerpoint demo and a set of cards to play a game based on collecting like terms.
I used this game as part of an introductory lesson on Algebra for a GCSE Foundation Maths group. It engaged most students and motivated a 'traditional' exercise from a textbook.
You can download a ZIP file containing the presentation and games cards. The rest of these notes assume you have seen the PowerPoint files.
- When you unpack the ZIP file you will find the PowerPoint presentation file (called lesson_one_collecting_like_terms.ppt) and three other PowerPoint files with cards for the game.
- The presentation is a basic walk through of the vocabulary (expressions, terms) and the idea that a term has a sign, coefficient and a letter.
- I suggest to students that the first term in an expression can be given a + sign so it looks like the others
- Terms like +x and -y can be thought of as +1x and -1y so they look like the others
- You can re-arrange terms as you like, but don't break off the sign, number and letter!
- Group by letter and put the terms with positive coefficients first
- Each card is a PowerPoint slide. I print these slides 6 up on A4 paper and cut them up.
- There are two PowerPoint files of 'easy' cards - one with terms using x and y and one with terms using p and q
- The PowerPoint of 'harder' cards use terms involving a mixture of w x y z - this allows some unobtrusive differentiation in which pair I give which cards to.
- The game is played with two players: one person picks a selection of terms and lays them out, the other has to talk through the rearrangement and explain the rules they are using. I tend to sit students of equal ability together.
- This is a pairs explanation activity in disguise
- A possible variation for use as a starter would be to print a number of cards full size A4 and invite volunteer students up to the font to pick a 'term' each and then get the audience to re-arrange them.
Originally added on Wednesday, April 9, 03
in category: graphs and algebra
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graphs and algebra