This two-lesson unit from Illuminations, exposes students to algebra, measurement, and data analysis concepts and the major theme of analyzing change. In the first lesson, students measure the heights of classmates and older students and construct a table of height and age data to compare them. The second lesson's instructional goal is to understand how change in one variable, age, can relate to change in a second variable, height. Instructional plan, questions for the students, assessment options, extensions, and teacher reflections are given.

In this Illuminations lesson plan students explore the use of variables as they solve for the weights of objects using information presented in pictures. Learners model situations that involve adding and subtracting whole numbers, using objects, pictures, and symbols. A student activity sheet is available and downloadable (pdf).

The purpose of this task is for students to find different pairs of numbers that sum to 4.

This activity helps students move from arithmetic to more algebraic thinking by providing problems and activities that have them moving from a one solution problem to those that are not limited to a single response and require symbolic representation.  Most problem situations explore linear models and would be suitable for grades 6 & 7, but there are problems included that explore quadratic and exponential models as well.
This lesson would be appropriate for an introduction to y=mx using problem situations with real world applications.

This Java applet activity allows students to explore the various situations described in "The Chairs Around the Table" lesson (cataloged separately). The user can select Exploration mode, in which the number of chairs needed for a particular arrangement of tables is displayed; or Guess, in which the user is able to construct an arrangement and then predict the number of chairs. There are two types of tables to choose from and two different table arrangements. Instructions and exploration question are provide.

In this lesson from Illuminations, students explore and discover linear relationships. Linear patterns are identified, extended and described verbally, numerically and algebraically through three investigations. Using manipulatives and the linked applet, "Chairs", learners determine the number of chairs needed when the number of tables is known, and vice versa. Instructional plan, questions for the students, assessment options, extensions and teacher reflections are provided.

The purpose of this task is for students to find different pairs of numbers that sum to 7.

This unit of four lessons highlights different aspects of students’ understanding and use of patterns as they analyze relationships and make predictions, as discussed in the Algebra Standard. In this cluster of activities, students use two interactive math applets (both catalogued separately) to learn about repeating and growing patterns. In the first part, students explore a two-square pattern unit and in the second part, students investigate repeating patterns with pattern units of three, four, and five squares. In Part 3, students analyze repeating patterns of colored cubes and lastly in Part 4, students create growing patterns of colored cubes and compare them to repeating patterns.

This interactive applet allows a student to visually explore the concept of factors by creating different rectangular arrays for a number. The user constructs the array by clicking and dragging on a grid. The length and width of the array are factors of the number. A student can elect an option of a randomly selected number or the student selects his own number between 2 and 50. Exploration questions are included to promote student discovery of mathematical concepts with factors.

Through this four part lesson students develop an understanding of the relationship between area and perimeter. The lesson involves students making human rectangles, exploring geoboard connections, playing perimeter war, and playing Square Off from Calculation Nation. The lesson plan includes all data collection worksheets, games pieces, link to Calculation Nation, extension and assessment ideas.

In this lesson students make connections between representations, clear parentheses, simplify, factorize, and use the arithmetic of polynomials in a purposive context.

This google slide show will be used by fourth grade teachers with their students as a numeracy routine. Students should be given time to notice and wonder about each slide. Students then engage in discourse to find what part of the whole is behind the "splat".

The purpose of this task is for students to find different pairs of numbers that sum to 9.

In this lesson students find and record addends that sum to ten in three different activities, using ten frames, linking cubes, two-sided counters, and a concentration game. The lesson includes suggestions for assessment and extension, reflection questions for students and teachers, links to related resources, and printable materials (pdf).

Mathwire is a website with standards-based math activities and downloadable resources.  Activities are searchable by topic or NCTM standard and an A-Z list is provided as well.

This Illuminations brainteaser activity promotes algebraic thinking and reasoning skills. Each letter of the alphabet has been assigned a numerical value. Solvers use given sums of the letter values of 29 names to deduce the individual values. Solvers are asked to find the value of their own names and may use an interactive applet to test their solutions.

This Java tool is used to strengthen student understanding of equality and computation of numerical expressions. The applet also helps students understand that equality is a relationship, not an operation. After entering an expression in both the red and blue pan, the pans will move up and down depending on which expression is greater. When the expressions are equivalent, the pans will balance and the full equation will be entered into the Balanced Equations table. Instructions and exploration directions and questions are included.

This Java applet allows children to explore a balancing tool and thus build their algebraic thinking about equivalency. By placing shapes on each side of the balance and finding equivalent sets of weights, students discover the weight of each shape in one of six built-in sets or a random set.

This five lesson Illuminations unit gives students an opportunity to create and analyze numeric and geometric patterns with particular emphasis on growing patterns. The lesson titles are respectively, What's Next?, Patterns On Charts, Growing Patterns, Exploring Other Number Patterns and Looking Back And Moving Forward. Each lesson includes learning objectives, material list, instructional plan, linked resources and assessment options.

In this math game, learners attempt to solve a puzzle involving five dice. By deciphering the non-standard pattern in the dice, learners use problem solving and strategy skills. This lesson guide includes questions for learners, assessment options, extensions, and reflection questions. There is an online simulation of the game that is part of this resource.