B5 Mathematics · Term 2 Week 11: Algebraic Expressions

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: B5.2.2.1.1 - Demonstrate understanding of algebraic expressions as mathematical phrases that can contain letters which represent ordinary numbers and operators (like add, subtract, multiply, and divide).

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Translate word phrases such as “sum of 8 and s” or “take away 4 from m” into algebraic expressions using letters and operation signs.
Identify the parts of an algebraic expression, including variables, coefficients, constants, and operators.
Simplify algebraic expressions by grouping like terms, such as m + 5m = 6m or 9w - 4 - 10w = -w - 4.
Substitute given values for variables into an algebraic expression and calculate the result accurately.
Write algebraic expressions for the perimeter of simple shapes, using a letter to represent an unknown side length.

Sign in with your phone number to read the full note and download the GES plan - free.

Sign in with phone number

Curriculum details

Strand: Algebra (Strand 2)
Sub-strand: Algebraic Expressions (2.2)
Content standard: B5.2.2.1 - Demonstrate understanding of algebraic expressions
Indicator: B5.2.2.1.1 - Demonstrate understanding of algebraic expressions as mathematical phrases that can contain letters which represent ordinary numbers and operators (like add, subtract, multiply, and divide).
Suggested placement: Term 2, Week 11 (Week 23 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Source document note: The official curriculum document has a fault in this entry, so the curriculum text above is transcribed exactly as printed:

exemplars - p.90
Curriculum reference: Mathematics Curriculum for Primary Schools (Basic 4-6), 2019, p. 90
Transcribed from the official NaCCA publication. Check this page against the source.

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

E.g. 1. Write algebraic expressions for word problems: 1) Sum of 8 and s 2) 8 times the sum of c and 7 3) Take away 4 from m 4) Subtract 4 from 7 times g
E.g. 2. Write algebraic expressions for the perimeter of the following shapes:

Figure from the b5 mathematics curriculum, printed page 90

2. Simplify basic algebraic expressions by grouping like terms. E.g. 1) m + 5 m 2) b + (-3b) + b 3) -7 n + 6 n 4) 9 w - 4 - 10 w 5) 8 w + 5 w 6) - m + 9 - 5 m
3. Substitute a value for an unknown into an expression and correctly calculate the answer. E.g. Find the values of these algebraic expressions using the values given in the following: 1) z + 7d use z = 7 and d = 4 2) 4 - 5s + 3b use s = 6 and b = 2 3) 8k + d use k = 2 and d = 3 4) -7 - 2b + 6 - 3r use b = 3 and r = 4 5) 7(5f - 3n) - 8 use n = 3 and f = 7 6) -5d - k 7 _ use k = 14 and d = 5 Printed pp 90-91 run three numbered blocks ("2. Simplify...", "3. Substitute...") under this one indicator instead of numbering them as exemplars, and their sub-items are set in two columns which interleave in the text layer; the items are reordered here into reading order 1) to 6). On printed p.91 the words "E.g." of two exemplars fall in the content-standard column of the extraction. Item 6) of the third block reads "-5d - k 7 _" on the page.