Visual Pattern Cards

This activity was inspired by @JoBoalar's TED talks were she talks about people using colours to show how patterns grow. It was also inspired by @FawnpNguyen's awesome VisualPatterns.org site. The premiss is simple, students are each given a card with three terms of a linear pattern on it. They are to recreate the pattern (and add two more terms) using colour to show how it grows. Then they use what they see to help come up with a general term for their pattern.

For this activity there are 32 cards made that have linear patterns in the form Ax, x + B and Ax + B. For grade 7, if your focus is developing the general term, then you should just use the cards with general terms in the form Ax & x + B (patterns that have expressions involving only one operation).

• Gr7PA – represent linear growing patterns, using a variety of tools (e.g., concrete materials, paper and pencil, calculators, spreadsheets) and strategies (e.g., make a table of values using the term number and the term; plot the coordinates on a graph; write a pattern rule using words);
• Gr7PA – make predictions about linear growing patterns, through investigation with concrete materials;
• Gr7PA – develop and represent the general term of a linear growing pattern, using algebraic expressions involving one operation (e.g., the general term for the sequence 4, 5, 6, 7, … can be written algebraically as n + 3, where n represents the term number; the general term for the sequence 5, 10, 15, 20, … can be written algebraically as 5n, where n represents the term number); 
• Gr8PA – represent, through investigation with concrete materials, the general term of a linear pattern, using one or more algebraic expressions (e.g.,“Using toothpicks, I noticed that 1 square needs 4 toothpicks, 2 connected squares need 7 toothpicks, and 3 connected squares need 10 toothpicks. I think that for n connected squares I will need 4 + 3(n – 1) toothpicks, because the number of toothpicks keeps going up by 3 and I started with 4 toothpicks. Or, if I think of starting with 1 toothpick and adding 3 toothpicks at a time, the pattern can be represented as 1 + 3n.”);
• Gr8PA – represent linear patterns graphically (i.e., make a table of values that shows the term number and the term, and plot the coordinates on a graph), using a variety of tools (e.g., graph paper, calculators, dynamic statistical software);
• Gr8PA – determine a term, given its term number, in a linear pattern that is represented by a graph or an algebraic equation 

1. For this activity there are 32 possible cards to use. Print them out on card stock (and laminate them if possible). Cut out each card to create a class set. If you are doing this with grade 7s then you may want two sets of the last two pages of cards since they deal with general terms in the form Ax & x + B.
2. Print out the Answer card so that you can circulate easily giving help or advice. 
3. Students should have enough connecting cubes or colour tiles of various colours to create the patterns. Or students could use this virtual colour tiles app from Mathies.ca. 

1. Hand out one card per student (you could also do one card per pair and have extra cards for students that finish early)
2. Instruct students to recreate their pattern using colours (connecting cubes or colour tiles) to show how the pattern grows. You may also ask them to restrict to two colours and show it that way as well. 
3. Once students have recreated their pattern, have them create the next two terms using the same colour distinctions. 
4. Once you are satisfied with their five terms, have them re arrange their tiles so that they create a line of each set of tiles for each term (like a bar graph).  While groups are getting to the same place you might ask quicker groups to determine the number of tiles needed for the 15th term
5. Next have students use their tiles to help determine the general term 
6. You might want to take several different examples to consolidate creating the general term. 

As an alternate procedure you might consider the progression of steps seen in this video using some of these cards to more systematically develop the a method for generating the algebraic expression for a linear pattern. 

• Visual Pattern Cards (Google Doc, Google Slides, PDF)
• Visual Pattern Cards Answer Key (Google Doc, PDF)
• This is the app we used to make the cards

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

Equation Strips

In Ontario our grade 7 students are introduced to solving simple equations in the form ax + b = c where the values of a, b and c are whole numbers. We think it's a good idea for them to start by having some sort of visual representation of each equation. In this activity, students are given 16 cards that correspond to 16 equations represented as strips (the top and bottom of the strips represent the left and right sides of the equations). They are more commonly called bar models but we have always used the name equation strips. Students solve for x given the strips and then rewrite the algebraic form equation. We originally got this idea from the 2011 Solving Equations Gap Closing resource (pg14).
[Updated Mar 6, 2018 - now both the printable cards and the dynamic websketch have equations in the form 2x - 5 = 19. This puts it beyond the grade 7 expectation but could be an extension or just used for grade 8]
[Updated Dec 19, 2019 - now including a single dynamic Desmos version where you can switch all the versions using sliders as well as a Desmos Activity where students first do some static practice problems and then it finishes with a Challenge Creator where students make their own question for the others to solve]

[Updated May 9th, 2022 - I added a card sort to the Desmos Activity and included a pdf version]

• Grade 7 Patterning & Algebra - solve linear equations of the form ax = c or c = ax and ax + b = c or variations such as b + ax = c and c = bx + a (where a, b, and c are natural numbers) by modelling with concrete materials, by inspection, or by guess and check, with and without the aid of a calculator 
• Grade 8 Patterning & Algebra - as review

• Each group gets a set of 16 cards (24 if you use the cards with minuses)
• Make several copies of the cards on card stock and laminate them so they last longer. You may wish to copy each set onto a different colour so that if they get mixed up you know each set by their colour.
• Cut out the cards so that each group gets a set of 16. 

1. Each group of 2-3 students gets one full set of 16 cards. 
2. Students are to determine the value of x for each card.
3. Once determining x then they should then determine the algebraic expression for each card
4. You can circulate with the solution card to check answers.
5. Once finished you can create your own cards using this web sketch or this Desmos sketch. This allows you to change the coefficients of a, b & c and it generates all four possible configurations. This web sketch assumes that a, b & c will be whole numbers and will not allow any solutions that have x as negative. Once you put your coefficients in then take a screenshot, use the screen capture software of your choice to copy and paste the version you want to use (For Windows use the Snipping Tool, for Chromebooks use Shift CTRL F5, for Macs use Command Shift 4, or iPad use the Home and Sleep buttons together. You can then paste into the word processor of your choice. 
6. If using the Desmos Activity, pair students so that they can have conversations about the
   
   strips. Be sure to explain how when they create their challenge, they will first have to solve it before they can submit it for the rest of the class to do. When using the Desmos activity, note that the "x's" are missing to make the connections to explicit equations less visible. This is so that students are free from the stigma of actual equations while still solving them. You might want to start with this. 

Note that if you want to modify the Desmos activity, you might want to watch this video on how to do it:

[Added July 2024] And here is @Howie_Hua doing some explainer videos of how to use Equation Strips (Bar Models)

Introducing one-step and two-step linear equations with bar models (Part 1) pic.twitter.com/eGlrAe0FNX

— Howie Hua (@howie_hua) July 18, 2024

(Part 2) pic.twitter.com/pyxqew4G7h

— Howie Hua (@howie_hua) July 18, 2024

• Equation Strip Cards Print version (Google Doc, PDF)
• Equation Strip Solution card (Google Doc, PDF)
• Equation Strip Card Sort (Google Doc, PDF)
• Equation Strip Solution template
• Equation Strip Web Sketch
• Desmos Sketch
• Desmos Activity

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

Number Sentences Sort (update)

One of the smaller expectations we have to deal with is the ability for students to interpret algebraic equations. You know: "what does 2x + 1 mean"?. We created this very simple sorting activity where students are given expressions (and equations) and the sentence to describe them and have to match them up. This is meant to be an activity that is relatively quick. We have two versions here. One for grade 7 that only has expressions and one for grade 8 that has equations as well. We also have an Explain Everything version of each so that if you have an iPad (or Chromebook), with that app, you can have your students sort them electronically. This can also be used as review in Grade 9.
Note: This is an update to the same activity posted last year but now with a grade 8 and Explain Everything version
Double Note: This has been updated again to now include a Desmos card sort. So both card sorts are now transferred to this new Desmos feature. You can learn about Desmos Card Sorts by clicking here. Download the Teacher versions (which you can copy) of these activities below in the download section.

• Gr7PA - translate phrases describing simple mathematical relationships into algebraic expressions using concrete materials
• Gr8PA - translate statements describing mathematical relationships into algebraic expressions and equations
• MPM1D, MFM1P - As review

• For the grade 7 version there are four different (but similar) sets. One set per page. For the grade 8 version there are three different (but similar) sets. One set per page. 
• Print each page on card stock (we also suggest laminating). We suggest that each set be printed on different colour card stock for easy sorting. Cut each out and put each set in an envelope.
• Obviously you will have to decide how many sets you will need for your class depending on whether you pair students up or not. 
• Note that in the version with equations, there are some algebraic expressions that do not have matching sentences. In these cases, students will have to write their own.
• If you choose to use the Explain Everything version, then you probably want to download that .xpl file and put it on a server where your students can get easy access to it. 

Explain Everything Screenshot

1. Depending on how many students you have you may want to do this individually, in pairs or in larger groups. The activity is not super complex so we don't recommend anything bigger than pairs. 
2. Students take each set and sort the algebraic expression with the written version. 
3. When they are done their set they can trade with another group that has a different colour of cards. If they are using the Explain Everything version then they can just go to the next slide. 
4. There is a homework sheet for consolidation that includes both expressions and equations as well.

• NumberSentences-Expressions (doc. PDF, XPL, Desmos)
• NumberSentences-Equations (doc, PDF, XPL, Desmos)
• NumberSentencesHomework-Equations (doc, PDF)
• Entire Folder

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

Row Games

We saw this activity in 2010 when I first found @K8Nowak's blog f(t). I don't know if I would call a Row Game a particularly engaging activity but I am convinced that any way we can make doing boring homework questions more palatable for students is a good thing. The premiss is that you pair students up and they get a worksheet of questions. The questions are in two columns. Each person does one column and if they have done things correctly then their questions on the same row should have the same answer. If they don't then either one or both of them are incorrect and they have to work together to get the correct answer. So this is a self checking activity. We made a bunch of them at the time and I just stumbled upon them this week so we thought we would post them. These ones are for ratios, proportion, simplifying expressions and solving simple equations.

MFM1P, MPM1D

• illustrate equivalent ratios, using a variety of tools
• solve for the unknown value in a proportion, using a variety of methods 
• make comparisons using unit rates
• solve problems involving ratios, rates, and directly proportional relationships in various contexts, using a variety of methods
• solve problems requiring the expression of percents, fractions, and decimals in their equivalent forms
• add and subtract polynomials involving the same variable up to degree three, using a variety of tools
• multiply a polynomial by a monomial involving the same variable to give results up to degree three
• solve first-degree equations with non fractional (Applied only) coefficients, using a variety of tools and strategies

•  Just the handouts (see below)

1. Pair students up
2. Have students decide who will be Student A or Student B, and have them complete Problem Set A or B.
3. The answers in each row should match. If they do not match, work together to determine the correct answer.

• See the files in one folder here
• Proportions (Word, PDF)
• Proportions Review (Word, PDF)
• Simplifying Expressions (Word, PDF)
• Adding Polynomials (Word, PDF)
• Simplifying Expressions with Multiplication (Word, PDF)
• Solving Equations (Word, PDF)
• Solving Multistep Equations (Word, PDF)

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

Simplifying Expressions and Solving Equations Tower Challenge

This is a review activity on simplifying expressions and solving equations for grade 9 applied where students answer questions and are rewarded with building materials for each correct answer. The building materials (spagetti & marshmallows) are then used with the goal being the creation of tallest tower. This is based originally on a TIPS activity on quadratics for MBF3C (Unit 3, Day 6).  We have a similar activity for grade 9 academic that can be found here.

MPM 1P

• substitute into and evaluate algebraic expressions involving exponents 
• describe the relationship between the algebraic and geometric representations of a single-variable term up to degree three [i.e., length, which is one dimensional, can be represented by x; area, which is two dimensional, can be represented by (x)(x) or x²; volume, which is three dimensional,can be represented by (x)(x)(x), (x²)(x),or x³]
• add and subtract polynomials involving the same variable up to degree three using a variety of tools
• multiply a polynomial by a monomial involving the same variable to give results up to degree three using a variety of tools
• solve first-degree equations with nonfractional coefficients, using a variety of tools
• substitute into algebraic equations and solve for one variable in the first degree

• 1 bag of spaghetti and 1-2 bags of small marshmallows (or 1 box of straws and 1-inch pieces of tape)  
• a question sheet for each student
• a teacher answer sheet 
• Optional - a whiteboard for each student to work out their solutions
• Optional - prize for the group with the tallest tower

1. Place students in groups (ideally no bigger than 3 per group)
2. Hand out question sheets (and optional whiteboards) to each student.
3. Have students answer questions from their sheet in any order they want. For every correct answer they will get some building materials (eg: 2 spagetti & 3 marshmallows, the amount of each reward is indicated on the student question sheet ). The harder the question the more materials they will get. Eventually the building materials will be used to create a tower with the goal to create the tallest free standing tower.
4. Students work in groups to answer the questions and bring their solutions up to you to be checked. Only one member from each group can come up at a time. Each group can answer each question only once. To keep track of this, use the teacher answer sheet to check off which questions each group has answered as they come up.
5. Leave about 20 min at the end of the class for students to create their towers (students can no longer answer questions)
6. Take lots of pictures and celebrate the group with the tallest free standing tower.

• Gr9AppliedSimplifyingExpression&SolvingEquationsTowerChallengeQuestions (pdf, doc)
• Gr9AppliedSimplifyingExpression&SolvingEquationTowerChallengeTeacherAnswerSsheet (pdf, doc)

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

Solving Equations Balance Method Card Sort

This is a simple activity where students are given a set of cards that represent the steps to take the given equation and use the balance method to solve it. The equations are relatively simple with most being two step solutions. This is not meant to be a big activity but just a warm up or perhaps something to do in the middle of class to break it up. There are 9 equations that can be solved so you could put students in groups or make multiple sets and have them work on them individually

• Gr8PA - solve and verify linear equations involving a one-variable term and having solutions that are integers, by using inspection, guess and check, and a “balance” model
• MPM1D, MFM1P - solve first-degree equations, including equations with fractional coefficients, using a variety of tools (e.g., computer algebra systems, paper and pencil) and strategies (e.g., the balance analogy, algebraic strategies)

• There are 9 sets of cards to print out and cut. We suggest printing on card stock and laminating. To help, each card will have it's set number just in case you mix up the cards. If you wish to use this with individual students rather than in groups you will need to print out more than one full set.
• NOTE - there are two versions. One with the traditional adding and subtracting of terms on the same line and the other with the adding and subtracting of terms done below. Obviously choose the version you prefer. The equations are the same in both
• We suggest putting each set in it's own envelop or zip-lock bag. 

1. Randomly distribute the envelopes to groups (or individual students). 
2. Have students use all the cards to show the steps to solve their question
3. Students should check their answer on paper or portable whiteboard
4. Once all groups (students) have correctly sorted their cards, they can exchange their set with the next group (since the sets are numbered they can just get the next numbered set - if they have set 1 then pass it to the group with set 2 etc). 
5. This could be done 9 times or stopped when ever you wish.

• Solving Equations Card Sort Horizontal (pdf, doc)
• Solving Equations Card Sort Vertical (pdf, doc)

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