Algebraic Notation in Real Life

Personal Reflection:


I ran across these two images and thought it was a perfectly fun way to talk about algebraic properties!  My students LOVE the Lady Gaga reference, and the new tweet to the right captures both the mathematical spirit AND a terrible pun!

Grade Level: 7-9

Course: Pre-Algebra, Algebra

Standards:  6.EE.2, 6.EE.3, 6.EE.4, 6.EE.6, 7.EE.1, 7.EE.2, 7.EE.3, 7.EE.4, 8.EE.7B
SMP: MP1, MP2, MP3, MP4, MP7, MP8
Skills: Algebraic notation, Mathematical Properties, Multiplying polynomials, "FOIL" method


How to use this as a mad minute:
You have 60 seconds.  Are these accurate?  Why or why not? 


How to use this as a warm up:
You could ask the students to consider one of the following:
1. What mathematical property is illustrated here?
2. Make up your own (appropriate) 4 letter word.  Multiply it as if it were a polynomial.  What happens?
3.  Can you multiply 4 letters to create a REAL 8 letter word?
4.  Rewrite MISSISSIPPI as a distributive property problem.
5.  Rewrite SASSAFRAS as a distributive property problem.
6.  Can your name be shortened using Algebraic notation?  Why or why not?

How to use this as a mini-lesson:
I would start by verifying that these two problems DO, in fact, work.  I would ask the students to justify the mathematical properties that are used in each step to expand the problems.  I'd challenge them to take a common chorus and rewrite it.  For example:

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

How to use this as a full lesson?
I would start with the warm up and mini lesson outlined above and then I would set the kids loose with a challenge.

EITHER:
a.  Rewrite your favorite song using accurate mathematical notation.  Be sure to justify each line by noting the property you are using to shorten the song!
OR
b.  Find 10 long and repetitive words (such as MISSISSIPPI) and rewrite them using mathematical notation.  Bonus points if you are able to create an entire sentence of such words!

How to use this as an assessment?
You know your students best! I would not use this as a formal assessment.  You could, however, find a similar graphic and ask it as a constructed response item on an assessment of your own!


Please feel free to use any of these ideas and modify them to meet your needs.  However, please acknowledge the original source of the items and my own lesson outlines.  ©NatalieRSprigg 2013