The Number Unit
The Number Unit sets the foundation for success in Algebra 1 for students. Here you will find the resources needed to make this unit NOT feel like a review for students, but instead challenge their thinking and set the stage for a great class! (More on some ideas on how to use this unit later.)
Our primary goal is to help you find joy and success in teaching. We want to put in your hands the tools needed to run a great class, day after day, and we want to do it in a way that allows you to save your time and energy so you can focus on why you became a teacher in the first place, to teach!
1.1 Fractions and Rational Expressions
Algebraic fractions are a great way to get kids out of a negative rut. It is often the case that by learning to finding common denominators and reduce with variables that doing the same with the old integers becomes easy and obvious.
This lesson and assignment teaches students how to add and subtract Algebraic Fractions. It is a great way to turn the worn out remediation on fraction on its head and give struggling students a fresh start while also extended the knowledge and ability of students that have mastered fraction arithmetic.
The lesson is a PowerPoint, 27 pages long, colorful and clear. It’s a powerful lesson that students have enjoyed.
Click on thumbnail to preview what the assignment looks like and what students are expected to learn.
To see a video that was made from the PowerPoint, please click here.
- OnTeachingMath Download
- Teachers Pay Teacher’s Site
1.2 LCM/GCF for Algebra 1
LCM/GCF for High School includes the procedures for whole numbers, but is extended here to include algebraic expressions. This is a great way to push students from the Middle School expectations into Algebra 1.
This PowerPoint lesson includes a homework assignment (that can be printed off). The lesson itself is fairly short in information, but has lots of concepts and ideas that require discussion and practice.
The lesson is colorful and engaging, it really grabs students’ attention, and organizes multiple ideas in simple, easily consumed images.
The assignment has three multiple choice questions and then students must fill out a table where they find the GCF and then the LCM of two or three algebraic expressions, some of which have exponents.
To see a video that was made from the PowerPoint, please click here.
- OnTeachingMath Download (coming soon)
- Teachers Pay Teacher’s Site
1.3 Order of Operations
This week-long unit on the order of operations is a great starter for Algebra 1. This unit has a master PowerPoint that walks you through all five days with plenty of practice problems, homework, and conversation-starters for class. Learn more here.
If you’re looking to switch things up and get kids working on order of operations with a new twist, this is it! Basically, a series of integers are placed in a row, followed by an equal sign and another integer. Students must place brackets and or operations wherever would create a true statement. It’s a pretty fun one!
1.4 Square Roots and Radical Expressions
This two day lesson introduces square roots, what the notation means, how to read and simplify them, and irrational numbers. The PowerPoint lesson contains two practice or homework sets. Learn more here.
In part two we begin to simplify square roots with composite radicands and work on arithmetic involving rational expressions. Learn more here.