Algebra tends to be an abstract educational strand that stops many children dead in their tracks. In today’s ever increasing need for children to continue their educational careers into college, it is more important than ever to have a strong foundation in algebra. This post includes fun videos that make six grade algebra easy! These fun problems not only develop six grade understanding – these strategies help to ensure a deeper level of understanding.
is a math help online lesson. It uses growth patterns, fun hearted challenges, and math tutorial videos to teach elementary school children the basics of algebra.
Why do kids love Algebra Expressions & The Great Wall
Algebra Expressions uses fun-fill word problems as a means of teaching children how to write expressions. In book two, children learn to combine terms and simplify algebraic expressions. Finally, children use growth patterns to create formulas in The Great Wall.
Cyclical Learning Approach
I have incorporated a cyclical learning approach with math tutorial videos. Each educational concept is introduced, then reinforced, then revisited again and again to ensure success. Children solve word problems that teach the basics of algebra.
This series is broken into three books. The first book is called Algebraic Expressions book 1 and teaches how to write mathematical expressions. The second book is called Algebraic Expressions book 2 and teachers how to simplify expressions. The third book is call The Great wall and teaches how to how to create and solve algebraic formulas.
I have scaffold these problems:
- The first problem is a Watch ME.
Students should read the problem and then click on the video to watch how the problem is solved.
Students should copy the entire problem into their notebook. - The second problem is a WORK WITH ME.
Students should read the problem then gather all their materials, so that they can do the problem with me.
Students should play the math tutorial video and pause it when told.
Finally, Students should copy the problem down on their own paper, and solve it with me.
When the math tutorial video is complete, students should review the problem with their teacher or parent. - All the following problems are ON YOUR OWN.
Students should solve the problems just as they did in the first two.
Once you they completed the problem, they should watch the math tutorial video.
Students should keep their paper with them while they watch the video.
If they made a mistake, they should pause the math tutorial video and fix their mistake.
That’s the fastest way to learn!
Algebraic Expressions – Book 1
Challenge 1 – Watch Me
Renly Raccoon is a professional thief. He steals food from unsuspecting campers. Yesterday, he stole eight times the quantity of a number less three of picnic baskets. Let P stand for the picnic baskets that Renly Raccoon stole.
Your Challenge:
- Write an expression that represents the short story about Renly Raccoon.
Now – Press PLAY and watch the math tutorial video below. Then copy these strategies into your notes.
Challenge 2 – Work with Me
Montana the Lily Loving Moose is constantly chomping on lily pads. The other day, Montana ate nine more than twice a number of lily pads. Let L stand for the lily pads that Montana the Lily Loving Moose ate.
Your Challenge:
- Write an expression that represents the short story about Montana Moose.
Now – Gather your materials and press PLAY. We’ll solve this problem together while you watch the math tutorial video below.
Challenge 3 – On Your Own
Pamila the Singing Panda is quite the talented bear. She sings while she chews on her favorite meal of bamboo. Today, Pamela is planning on singing a number of songs divided by 3, plus twelve. Let S stand for the songs that Pamila the Singing Panda is going to sing.
Your Challenge:
Write an expression that represents the short story about Pamila.
Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below. Good Luck!
Click here to purchase this book!
Algebraic Expressions – Book 2
Challenge 1 – Watch Me
The Stealthy Sea Otters just sold a bunch of fish from the San Francisco Fisherman’s Dock. They stole three times a number squared of Cod. Then the Stealthy Sea Otters stole 5 times the quantity of a number squared plus four of salmon. Let X stand for the cod and salmon fish they stole.
How much fish did the Stealthy Sea Otters steal?
Your Challenge:
- Write an expression that represents the short story above.
- Simplify the expression.
Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below. Good Luck!
Challenge 2 – Work with Me
Wrong Way John gets lost more than any other giraffe in the entire world. Last week he got lost six times the quantity of a number times six, plus six in a strand of acacia trees. Then Wong Way John got lost seven plus a number times seven on the African Plains. Let X stand for the times he got lost in the acacia trees or on the African Plains.
How many times did Wrong Way John get lost?
Your Challenge:
- Write an expression that represents the short story above.
- Simplify the expression.
Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below. Good Luck!
Challenge 3 – On Your Own
Grizzly Greg is a honey loving bear. Today, Grizzly Greg ate eight times the quantity of a number times three, plus eight of ounces of honey from the birch tree hive. Then he ate three less than twenty-one times a number of ounces from the oak tree hive. Let X stand for the ounces of honey. How much honey did Grizzly Greg the Honey Loving Bear eat?
Your Challenge:
- Write an expression that represents the short story above.
- Simplify the expression.
Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below. Good Luck!
Click here to purchase this book!
The Great Wall – Challenge 1
POISONOUS PENGUINS, BABBLING BABOONS, AND TERRIBLE TIGERS ARE ATTACKING YOUR SCHOOL!
Poisonous penguins are waddling menacingly, squawking with their hard, pointed beaks, as they race toward your school. Babbling baboons are push and shove one another, talking nonsensically as they make their way to your school. And, terrible tigers make a deep guttural growl, as they stalk towards your school. But that’s not the worst of it: more animals are coming! You have just been told that there are 39 different animals attacking your school.
Lucky for you – your school architects have designed a wall that grows at the same rate that these animals are growing. Your job, as School Mathematician, is to discover how many bricks are needed to build your wall. If you solve these algebraic problems, you GREAT WALL will protect all the children within your school!
Challenge 1a – Watch Me
Draw your Growth Pattern
- Look at the above photo and then watch the video below. I will demonstrate how to copy the first three Sections of the GREAT WALL on your paper.
- Next, based on the pattern, I will demonstrate how to draw the 4th section of the wall.
Now – Press PLAY and watch the 1st step in the math tutorial video below. Then copy these strategies into your notes.
I like to give a special thanks to the photographers at freeimage.com for allowing me to use their pictures.
Challenge 1b – Watch Me
Create a T-Chart
- Create a T-Chart that shows the number of blocks needed to build the 7th section.
- Solve for the Iterative Function, which is also the Co-Efficient.
- Color the Co-Efficient blue on each section that you drew.
- Color the constant red on each section that you drew.
Now – Press PLAY and watch the 2nd step in the math tutorial video below. Then copy these strategies into your notes.
Challenge 1c – Watch Me
Create a Formula
Use your iterative function and the drawings to create a formula that will work for any section number. Be sure to illustrate your formula on your drawings.
Test your formula against section 5, section 6, and section 7 to make sure that it agrees with your T-Chart!
Now – Press PLAY and watch the 3rd step in the math tutorial video below. Then copy these strategies into your notes.
Challenge 1d – Watch Me
Create a Formula
Your school scientists have just discovered more animals! There are 39 different types of animals attacking you school. You need a section for each animal.
How many blocks are needed to build the 39th section of wall?
Now – Press PLAY and watch the 4th and final step in the math tutorial video below. Then copy these strategies into your notes.
Click here to purchase the next GREAT WALL book!
Need Help with Multiplication or Division?
I have a series on multiplication and another series on division that are specifically designed for children who do not have all of their multiplication facts memorized. These series are designed in a similar manner to this book, where each and every problem is linked to a video tutorial.
Click here to see my series on Multiplication.
Click here to see my series on Division.
How about getting a concrete understanding of fractions?
I have a series on illustrating fractions that is specifically designed to build a concrete understanding of this complex concept. Children who understand fractions at a deeper level are more likely to have a successful educational career . The series is designed in a similar manner to this book, where each and every problem is linked to a video tutorial.
Here is a link to my series on Fractions.
Here is a link to my series on Ratios & Proportions.
Thank you for reading this article!
One Last Thing
If you like this post and found it helpful, please leave a brief comment. As a teacher, perhaps the greatest reward I receive is from parents, children, and fellow teachers who use my strategies of education and succeed.
My mission in life and as an educator is to make people feel empowered, self-assured, and happy about who they are in this world! We all have gifts to bestow upon our world. Go forth and do so, and know that you are awesome!