The Amazing Equation Race

Title: The Amazing Equation Race

Author: Brigid Del Carmen

Source: http://www.education.com/activity/article/Equation_Race_fifth/

Grade Level: Fifth Grade

Objective: Making children more comfortable with simple equations.

MN State Standards: Algebra 5.2.3.3 Evaluate expressions and solve equations involving variables when values for the variables are given.

What You Need:
• scrap paper
• pencils
• white paper
• black markers
• blue and red markers (optional)

What You Do:
1. Cut 3 sheets of paper into 12 strips. On each set of stips, write the following equations in black marker:
n + 2
n + 3
n + 4
n + 5

Cut 4 sheets of paper into 30 playing cards. On 7 of the cards, write the following:
SUBTRACT 1
SUBTRACT 3
SUBTRACT 5
SUBTRACT 7
ADD 2
ADD 4
ADD 10

On each of the remaining playing cards, write a value for n (the variable), up to 10.
For example:
n = 1 n = 2
n = 5 n = 4
n = 7 n = 6

2. When you are ready to begin the game, each player should get scrap paper, a pencil and 4 equation strips. Shuffle the playing cards and put them face down on the table.

3. Player 1 begins by picking the top card in the deck. If it is a variable, player 1 fills in the value for n on his first equation strip (solve on scrap paper).

For example:
equation strip: n + 2
player picks n = 5
5 + 2 = 7

Player 1 now has 7 points

If a player pulls an ADD or SUBTRACT card, he adds or subtracts the amount from his points.

The winner is the first player to reach 25 points.

Note: If your fifth grader’s score drops below zero, you may have to help her add and subtract negative numbers.

Extension: Save the game for the future when your child learns to solve equations with negative numbers. Just put a negative sign in front of some of the numbers on the playing cards.

Questions:

*What introductory information is necessary for children to have prior to starting this activity?

Children need to have the basic addition and subtraction rules down.

* What grade level/s is appropriate for this activity? Please use appropriate justification for your answers here.

The game states that the game is for 5th graders, but I think it is a great beginning lesson to introduce algebra and variables. I honestly think this game could be played with grades perhaps as low as first. It would show children that math can be written different ways and use many different numbers. One thing I would change using younger children, is that if they had to subtract, I would only have them go down as far as zero.

One other possible alteration could be that the students could solve for the variable. Instead of having them add or subtract a number, they could pick a number that would be the answer, they then would have to solve using algebraic rules.

* How will you engage students with different learning styles?

This activity is great in that it uses cards stating the problem so it encompasses the visual learners. You could also use manipulatives for younger students or students that are struggling with the concept. They could get out enough pieces to equal ‘n’, and then they could either add or subtract from there. For a way to get students up and moving, you could have the students become the numbers. Have so many students stand in for ‘n’, and then add or subtract students from there.

* How does this activity connect to the real world for students? Be specific.

Students would be able to apply this skill in many situations where they know one of the numbers, and aren’t sure of the other.

A student is having a party and wants each one of their friends to have a bag of candy. The student has 6 bags of candy, and wants to figure out how many more they would need if 8 friends or 11 friends would come.

* Why is this activity with its concepts important for student learning? Be specific.

This activity introduces algebraic equations to students, which becomes the basis of many of their future math classes. By having a solid foundation of what a variable is, and how to solve the equation, the teachers will have to spend less time reviewing and re-teaching.

* What are your comments on this activity? Would you use it in your classroom?

I think this is a great activity. It is a good way to introduce many equations to students, and can be used for many different ages. It only requires a onetime set up of the game, and can be used multiple times. If there are only 10 minutes of class left, you could pull this game out and the students would be learning / reviewing as well as having fun.