5 of the best algebra resources For KS4 maths
- by Teachwire
1 | Number tricks
In this lesson, algebra is used to make sense of a number trick that the teacher performs. Students are asked to explore the mechanics, experiment with some numbers, and then use algebra to try to probe exactly how and why the trick works.
It’s easy to check the rule on a few numerical examples by working them out, but a short piece of algebra helps students to see what is going on under the surface. This lesson provides an opportunity to work on expanding brackets and simplifying algebraic expressions, as well as making sense of the final answer in terms of the place value of the original numbers.
Using this KS4 algebra lesson plan, students will learn to form expressions using area and perimeter (secure students will form expressions using angles in polygons).
The treasure hunt, which is included as a PowerPoint file, enables you to create an engaging problem solving activity that students will complete moving round the room from question to question.
In the extended plenary, students will create their own exam questions for fellow pupils to complete.
3 | Financial problem solving
Mathematical questions about a photo in a carpark gives a real-life context to this maths lesson. Students will devise their own investigations about the photo that will involve money, algebra, and finding patterns. Logical thinking and careful arithmetic are also required in this KS4 lesson.
A group activity designed for mixed algebra revision on factorising equations.
Each card has question and solution. Unfortunately, the solution may contain a classic mistake.
The students need to identify the mistake and provide a correct solution. A great teaching resource for KS3 and KS4 maths.
Flowcharts are a highly visual way of communicating information and are used in this lesson to set up rules about operations that will be performed iteratively.
Students are invited to explore what happens when they put different numbers into a given flowchart, and later to experiment with varying the features of the flowchart themselves. They will encounter some converging sequences and use algebra to predict and explain the outcomes.
