Algebra Tile Musical Desks

When you bring out algebra tiles students tend to automatically create designs. So why not include that in your lesson?  In this activity students create a design using algebra tiles and simplify the design using the zero principle.

• MPM1D
• MFM1P

• Algebra tiles
• Music
• Whiteboards and markers (optional)

1. Students create a design using algebra tiles.
2. Play music and have students circulate.
3. When the music stops students must sit at a desk and simplify another students design using the zero principle.
4. Students write the resulting polynomial on the whiteboard and identify as a monomial, binomial or trinomial.
5. Repeat the same activity at the new desk or as an extension you could ask them to create a design that simplifies to a particular polynomial expresssion.  (eg.  x² - 3x + 4)

• None

Did you use this activity? Do you have a way to make it better? If so tell us in the comment section. Thanks