Introduction to Algebra Tiles

I was working in a colleague’s grade 9 class today and was introducing algebra tiles, an excellent way to visualize and conceptualize algebra when students are learning.

one of my first steps in introducing algebra and the tiles is to make some art. Students get very creative!

Our next step is to remove all the zero pairs to simplify their polynomial art to the simplest forms.

I posted some pictures of student work on the whiteboard, and one by one students practiced being brave and coming up to the board to cross off the zero pairs until we got it down to a monomial, binomial or trinomial.

We practiced vocabulary and what constants, variables, coefficients and exponent are.

Next, we made 2 trinomials (x^2-2x-3) and (-x^2+3x+3) and then we added them up, and simplified by removing zero pairs. We ended up with a monomial, 1x

The challenge problem that followed was to create 2 binomials that add up to a trinomial, and 2 trinomials that add up to make a binomial.

We had so many possible answers.

It was refreshing to hear students making connections between the tiles and algebra, and realizing that they could always use them if they need them. Some students were encouraging their peers and helping them to understand.

best quote of the day: “The tiles really help bro! Give them a try.”-grade 9