ALGEBRAIC NOTATION: MATHS AS A
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
YEAR 9 (COMPETENCIES: NUMERACY & CRITICAL THINKING)
AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM LEARNING OBJECTIVES
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ACMNA232:1 solving a wide range of linear equations, including those involving one or two
simple algebraic fractions, and checking solutions by substitution.
ACMNA177:2 identifying order of operations in contextualised problems, preserving the order
by inserting brackets in numerical expressions, then recognising how order is preserved by
convention.
RESOURCES REQUIRED
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Algebraic Notation: Maths as a Foreign Language3, streamed online with projection facilities
(33 minutes).
Algebra video worksheet4 x class set
Algebra challenge worksheets5 x class set
Algebra challenge answers6 x class set
LESSON OUTCOME: students investigate key theories in algebra and apply their skills to
algebra to the real world
Lesson outline:
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Students draw in the equation gaps on what makes them happy: …….. +……………+……..
= happy.
Introduce algebra as a similar concept but using letters as part of mathematical notation
they will become more familiar with in high school
Hand out video worksheets and introduce video. Students fill out worksheet as they watch
Review answers from video and clarify questions
Hand out algebra challenge worksheets to students to complete.
Go through answers and introduce homework/extension activity
HOMEWORK/EXTENSION
Students compose their own mathematical story like the narrator does using her bike analogy in
narrative form
OPPORTUNITY FOR FURTHER ACTIVITY
Interactive algebra activities can be completed from Cut the Knot website.
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http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Search?q=algebra
http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Search?q=algebra
3 http://webplayer.clickview.com.au/?p=bRut
4 http://www.capthat.com.au/sites/www.capthat.com.au/files/Algebraic%20Notation%20worksheet.docx
5 http://math.about.com/library/prealg1.pdf
6 http://math.about.com/library/prealg1s.pdf
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