Day 103: Distributive Property Day 2

6th Grade Math Standards: 6.EE.3 Apply the properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions. For example, apply the distributive property to the expression 3 (2 + x) to produce the equivalent expression 6 + 3x; apply the distributive property to the expression 24x + 18y to produce the equivalent expression 6(4x + 3y); apply properties of operations to y + y + y to produce the equivalent expression 3y.

The Learning Objective: Find equivalent expressions by using the distributive property in a real-world context

Agenda:

1. Jumpstart: Place value, algebraic expressions vocabulary, writing algebraic expressions
2. Homework review from the distributive property last night
3. My favorite no challenge 3 (2 + x -3c + 4 + 2x)
4. Word problem practice 
5. Homework practice 

The Assessment:

Homework: Tonight's homework included more practice with basic distributive property (we are really solid overall as a sixth grade at the moment) and also word problem practice.

My Glass Half-Full Take: Solving word problems was actually easier than the seemingly more basic 3(2 + c) types of problems. The reason being is that the word problems are actually more concrete. It's not to say that the students were screaming give me more, but it was nice to see them respond as if to say, "that's all you got?".

I really like the way they handled the My Favorite No challenge. As I told the students I think it exaggerates what the distributive property is all about.

One Thing to Do Differently: Looking at the picture above I wonder if symbols and algebra tiles did more harm than good. Every student does learn differently, but to me this process is so easy. Multiply what's in the parenthesis by what's out. Then again, we use place value bars, paper coins and other manipulatives that eventually seem out of touch with where we are, but initially they are good training wheels.