Mathematics teachers can use the ideas in this collection when planning to integrate key processes and problem solving into the teaching of algebra. By adopting an integrated approach, teachers can enable pupils to experience mathematics as a coherent, worthwhile and engaging subject.
As you plan, ensure that opportunities exist for connections to be made between algebra and the three other mathematical content strands of number, geometry and measures and statistics.
The collection includes:
- ideas for developing pupils’ key process skills while they learn about algebra
- materials to support and develop teachers’ subject knowledge
- examples of teaching approaches that can be used to develop algebraic knowledge, skills and understanding
- teaching and learning resources that encourage more active ways of learning through the use of group work, discussion and open questioning.
Attachments
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Key processes in algebra
Improve your understanding of the key processes relating to algebra and learn how to develop pupils’ problem-solving skills. These materials can help you plan your secondary mathematics lessons or units of work to integrate the problem-solving cycle of representing, analysing, interpreting and evaluating, and communicating and reflecting.
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Secondary mathematics algebra study units
These ten professional development study units can be used to reinforce, confirm and extend knowledge of teaching algebra in the curriculum for Key Stages 3 and 4.
- Planning your study time
- What you will need
- Teaching principles
- Why algebra?
- Unit 1: Using a grid method to multiply expressions
- Unit 2: Transforming expressions and equations
- Unit 3: Constructing expressions and equations
- Unit 4: Rearranging equations and formulae
- Unit 5: Collecting like terms
- Unit 6: Applying skills in the context of 'Pyramid' puzzles
- Unit 7: Using algebraic reasoning
- Unit 8: Generalising from patterns and sequences
- Unit 9: Linking sequences, functions, and graphs
- Unit 10: Classroom approaches to algebra
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Teaching mental mathematics from level 5: Algebra
These resources can be used to help improve pupils’ mathematical thinking skills in algebra.
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Teaching mental mathematics from level 5: Measures and mensuration in algebra
This resource addresses the importance of understanding measures and mensuration, and includes activities that you can use to help pupils comprehend the subjects.
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Standards units in algebra
These algebra-based lesson plans and activities, and links to useful computer programs, are part of ‘Teaching algebra’, which is designed to transform the teaching, training and learning of mathematics in secondary schools.
- Unit A1: Interpreting algebraic expressions
- Unit A2: Creating and solving equations
- Unit A3: Creating and solving harder equations
- Unit A4: Evaluating algebraic expressions
- Unit A5: Interpreting distance–time graphs with a computer
- Unit A6: Interpreting distance–time graphs
- Unit A7: Interpreting functions, graphs and tables
- Unit A8: Developing an exam question – Generalising patterns
- Unit A9: Performing number magic
- Unit A10: Connecting perpendicular lines
- Unit A11: Factorising cubics
- Unit A12: Exploring trigonometrical graphs
- Unit A13: Simplifying logarithmic expressions
- Unit A14: Exploring equations in parametric form
