step into my classroom: math

This year I am again teaching one math class, 6th grade math. Last week we began our first venture into algebraic concepts as we identified and wrote number patterns and rules for patterns. We also began discussing variables and how to relate variables to numbers and write an algebraic expression. This can be a difficult concept for 6th graders to wrap their brains around, so this year I decided to use everyone's favorite manipulative: candy! With pretzels and Pico Balla (a type of gummy), students explored algebraic expressions and enjoyed a snack afterward. Pretzels represented the variable, and the gummies represented ones. So, to represent the expression 2x + 3, the student would show two pretzels and three gummies. Somewhat elementary, but it kept their attention for the entire period and they worked so fast that they got to do their homework in class! It was a good day for everyone. Here are a few shots of my mathmaticians hard at work.