Substituting into formulas algebra game
Download a ZIP file containing a MS Powerpoint demo and a set cards to play a game based on substituting into formulas.
I used this game as the second part of an introductory lesson on Algebra for a GCSE Foundation Maths group. It engaged students and motivated an exercise from a textbook. Students found the 'two card matching' aspect of the game had more fun value than a simpler collecting like terms game
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_two_substituting_into_formulas.ppt) and two other PowerPoint files with cards for the game.
- The presentation is a short walk through substitution and relies on knowledge of sequence of operations (BODMAS) which I do some work on early.
- I follow a standard presentation: replace letters with the numbers, remember 3y means '3 times the value of y', watch out for minus times minus.
- I use animated shapes to show the formula with letters and then the BODMAS calculation with numbers below
- I use some highlighting to emphasise the order in which the BODMAS calculation is completed
- A final 'your turn' slide sets up the game
- Each of two kinds of card is a PowerPoint slide. I print these slides 6 up on A4 paper and cut them up.
- The first set of cards have formulas on them.
- The second set of cards have values for letters.
- The game is played with two players: first player picks a formula, second player picks a value. Second player 'wins' if they can explain how to substitute and get the answer. First player 'wins' if formula too hard for second player but first player can finish.
- Students asked to record the substitutions they do so I have a record
- This is a pairs explanation activity in disguise
- Differentiation is by slightly grading the formulas (indicies and divisions hard, things like 3x + 4y easier) and the value cards (opposite signs and decimal numbers hard, both positive whole numbers easy)
- Students expressed a strong preference for this game over the 'collecting like terms' game. The 'you pick the formula and I pick the values' aspect seemed to improve the game play.
Originally added on Wednesday, April 9, 03
in category: graphs and algebra
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graphs and algebra