Math lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 45 minutes
Simplify expressions: like terms
Algebra
CCSS 6.EE.A.3CCSS 6.EE.A.4CCSS 7.EE.A.1England: KS3 AlgebraEngland: GCSE Foundation Algebra
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Simplify expressions: like terms.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Write algebraic expressions
Leads to: Vectors; Expand brackets (distributive property); Recognise equivalent expressions
Materials: Balance scales or a balance drawing, Algebra tiles, Function machine cards, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Write algebraic expressions). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Which expression means "2 less than n"? (n/2 / n + 2 / n − 2 / 2n) → n − 2Prompt: Translate the words in order, carefully.
- Write an expression for: 9 times a number n, minus 1. → 9n-1Prompt: '9 times n' is written 9n.
- Fatima buys x cinema tickets at 3 each and pays a booking fee of 6. Write an expression for the total cost. → 3x+6Prompt: How much do x tickets cost?
Hook · 5 min
- Show a "think of a number" puzzle and ask the class to work out the starting number.
- Share the objective: Simplify expressions: like terms. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Simplify 5x + 4x.
- Step 1: 5 + 4 = 9
- Step 2: 9x
- Answer: 9x
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Simplify 2x + 5x. → 7xPrompt: These are like terms: they both have x.
- Simplify x − 5 − 6x − 7. → -5x-12Prompt: Group the x terms together and the numbers together.
You do: independent practice · 10 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Simplify 6x + 4y + x − 3y. → 7x+yPrompt: x terms and y terms are different kinds; collect each kind separately.
- Simplify 7x − 8 + x − 2. → 8x-10Prompt: Group the x terms together and the numbers together.
Watch out for
- Doing an operation to one side of an equation but not the other.
- Reading 3x as 3 + x, or thinking x always stands for one particular number.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Write algebraic expressions.
- Use concrete materials: balance scales or a balance drawing.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: Vectors; Expand brackets (distributive property); Recognise equivalent expressions.
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-6.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder