Description
What our Math Expressions lesson plan includes
Lesson Objectives and Overview: Math Expressions breaks down the parts of an algebraic expression so students can work with the expressions without having to worry about solving them. Vocabulary like constant, coefficient, and operator are defined within the lesson, along with other relevant algebraic terms. At the end of this lesson, students will be able to use math expressions vocabulary and work with expressions. This lesson is for students in 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade.
Classroom Procedure
Every lesson plan provides you with a classroom procedure page that outlines a step-by-step guide to follow. You do not have to follow the guide exactly. The guide helps you organize the lesson and details when to hand out worksheets. It also lists information in the blue box that you might find useful. You will find the lesson objectives, state standards, and number of class sessions the lesson should take to complete in this area. In addition, it describes the supplies you will need as well as what and how you need to prepare beforehand. The supplies you will need for this lesson include scissors, glue, and extra paper.
Options for Lesson
Included with this lesson is an “Options for Lesson” section that lists a number of suggestions for activities to add to the lesson or substitutions for the ones already in the lesson. One optional addition to this lesson is to have your students write vocabulary cards to keep in their math bin or journal. You could also have your students play vocabulary games where one student gives clues and the others have to guess which part of the expression is being described. Finally, try having your students create posters of vocabulary terms in small groups to display in the classroom.
Teacher Notes
The teacher notes page includes lines that you can use to add your own notes as you’re preparing for this lesson.
MATH EXPRESSIONS LESSON PLAN CONTENT PAGES
Algebraic Expressions Vocabulary
The Math Expressions lesson plan includes two content pages. Algebraic expressions are any mathematical calculations that combine numbers and variables. They do not include equal or inequality signs, but do include variables, constants, and operation symbols, like plus and minus signs.
4x + 7y – 6 is an example of an algebraic expression. Algebraic expressions are made up of terms. Terms are the pieces of an algebraic expression separated by plus or minus signs. In the example 4x + 7y – 6, there are three terms: 4x, 7y, and -6. It’s important to be able to identify the different parts of expressions.
Variables
Variables are symbols that represent an unknown value. We can use any symbol as a variable, but typically use letters. These letters are kind of like numbers in disguise. The example expression includes two variables, x and y. You can remember what a variable is by thinking about the beginning of the word—vari, or vary, means change!
Coefficients
Coefficients are numbers connected to variables through multiplication. These are the numbers used to multiply variables. In our example, the term 4x has the variable x and the coefficient 4. 4x actually means 4 times x. If a term only has a variable (such as x or -x), the coefficient is either 1 or -1. You do not have to include the 1 when writing variables like these, but you can if you’d like to!
Constants
Constants are numbers that are on their own, with no variable. They contain only numbers. To remember what a constant is, think of the name. Something that is constant does not change! In our example, -6 is a constant.
Operators
Operators are the symbols in an expression that shows an operation. Our four basic operations are +, -, x, and ÷. The operators that separate terms in an expression are the + and – signs.
Recap
The lesson closes with a helpful chart that lists the vocabulary words from the lesson, their definitions, and examples of each.
- Expression: Any mathematical calculation combining numbers and variables using operations, does NOT have an = sign
- Term: When plus or minus signs separate an algebraic expression into parts, each part is called a term
- Variable Term: A term that contains a variable
- Coefficient: The numerical part of a term that contains a variable
- Variable: A placeholder for any value
- Constant: A term without a variable
- Operator: Separate terms
MATH EXPRESSIONS LESSON PLAN WORKSHEETS
The Math Expressions lesson plan includes four worksheets: an activity worksheet, a practice worksheet, a homework assignment, and a quiz. You can refer to the guide on the classroom procedure page to determine when to hand out each worksheet.
CUT AND PASTE ACTIVITY WORKSHEET
For the activity worksheet, students will cut out each expression on the worksheet and glue them under the correct heading (constants, coefficients, variables, or variable terms).
LABELING EXPRESSIONS PRACTICE WORKSHEET
The practice worksheet asks students to first label the parts of the expression using the terms from the word box on the worksheet. They will also identify the terms, variables, coefficients, and constants in different expressions.
MATH EXPRESSIONS HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
For the homework assignment, students will identify each part of different algebraic expressions as the variable, coefficient, constant, or operator.
QUIZ
This lesson also includes a quiz that you can use to test students’ understanding of the lesson material. For the quiz, students will match vocabulary words with their correct definitions.
Worksheet Answer Keys
This lesson plan includes answer keys for the practice worksheet, the homework assignment, and the quiz. If you choose to administer the lesson pages to your students via PDF, you will need to save a new file that omits these pages. Otherwise, you can simply print out the applicable pages and keep these as reference for yourself when grading assignments.
