Elementary Algebra Activities
- Variables occur when numbers are replaced in an equation by a letter. For example, a + 2 = 5 is a variable problem. The a represents the addition number. Students can learn about variables by using items like a toy to represent various numbers. For example, a large building toy piece might be counted as three and a smaller piece counted as one. The students learn to use the symbol of the toy as a number rather than the number, giving a foundation in variables.
- Algebra often uses patterns as a method of creating graphs or finding the equation. At the elementary level, the students might not yet get to the point of graphing a pattern, but the teacher can give pattern assignments. For example, the teacher might give the numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and 13. The students then need to find the next number in the pattern and figure out what the pattern is. In the case of the listed pattern, the next number ends up 21 because 8 + 13 = 21. The pattern is therefore adding the first number with the next number.
- Algebra uses word problems to set up an equation. For example, a word problem might state that if a dime has ten pennies and a dollar has ten dimes, how many pennies are in a dollar? The student then works on making the equation to figure out the number of pennies. Teachers should show students how to pick out the information and make a problem. For example, 10p = 1d and 10d = 1D where p is pennies, d is dimes and D is dollars. The next part is piecing together the question. How many pennies in one dollar ends up as 10p x 10d = 1D.
- Graphing skills are starting to develop in late elementary school. Teachers can use a puzzle activity to help students understand the idea of bar graphs. The students are split into teams of four and are given one class to put together a puzzle. The teacher times five minutes and every five minutes, students write down the number of pieces put together in the puzzle. For homework, the students make a bar graph showing every five minutes and gradually increasing puzzle pieces. The teacher should use 250 or 500 piece puzzles for the best results.
