Equations+Starters

Materials Required: 3 X 5 cards, enough for the class Activity Time: One half to one period. Concepts Taught: Algebra, simple equation solving

Before class, teacher makes up the 3 X 5 cards. On the back of two cards, write the letter "A." Do the same with "B" and "C" and so on until you have enough for each student to get one card. The purpose of this is so that each student will be paired up with another student that has that same letter. On one of the cards, write an equation that your level can solve such as: 2x + 5 = 3x - 18 = x² + 5 = On the corresponding card for that letter, write a number from 20 to 100. Mix up the cards at random, making sure that half the kids will get an equation, and half the kids will get a number. They are then to pair up with the person that has the same letter on the back of their card. They put them together and solve the equation. For example, suppose one "A" had 5x + 3 =, and the other "A" had 35, their equation would be 5x + 3 = 35. They then solve for x. Teacher then picks random students to present their problems on the board. If there is an odd number of students, just add another "A" card and put a number on the back of it. Three people would then be grouped as "A's". They would then combine their numbers together. In other words, using the above example, let's say you add another "A" card and write -24 on it. Then the three "A" cards would make: 5x+3 = 35-24.