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You get Algebra tiles, and You get Algebra tiles, Everyone gets Algebra tiles!

 


Resources for: 

--Open Up High School Mathematics Curriculum
--Integrated Math 2 Unit 2: Structure of Expressions


This Unit relies on the Area Model and Algebra Tiles in order to teach the concept of Quadratic Functions.  I have created and found a number of resources to assist with that process.  Teachers have different teaching styles and students have different learning styles.  So, I have decided to share everything I have compiled.  


When I first started teaching Quadratics this way, I printed the student edition and then as a class we would draw all of the models by hand.  


This was rather tedious and very challenging for some of my students that were not as visual-spatial or who struggled with fine motor skills.   I eventually made some digital tiles in Google Slides that I could use to quickly model the Quadratics. 



Then, this last year during the Quarantine, I had to find a way to teach these same lessons completely online.  I am so grateful for Desmos, where I was able to find activities where others had coded digital algebra tiles.  I copied and edited them for my use, to align with the Open Up Math Curriculum.  Here is a link to my Desmos collection of lessons for Integrated Math 2 Unit 2.




Now that we are supposed to be back to school Fact-to-Face in the Fall, I am planning on still using some of my Desmos activities with digital Algebra Tiles, as well as incorporating a hands-on version for my more Tactile learners.  I know that I could just get some sets of plastic Algebra tiles, however, I am not sure how that would work with just having a class set, and sanitizing concerns.  

So, I decided to make my own.  I still want students to have examples in their notes, so for those that struggle with the drawings, I plan to have them trace the Algebra tiles I give them. I carefully sized these so that once they are printed, they will fit together. 

I made 3 sheets, one for each different shape.  I printed the large squares on blue Astrobright cardstock, the rectangles on green, and the small unit squares on orange.  After that, I very carefully, glued a sheet of red paper to the backs of the rectangles and unit squares so that they could easily be flipped over to demonstrate negatives.  This had to be done carefully, because I had to make sure to cover the entire paper, so that when they were cut-out they would still all be stuck together.  Also, because I wanted them to be smooth and not ripple.  

When the sheets were dry, I cut them with a large paper cutter and scissors.  I suggest a helper if you plan to make a lot of these.  We then bagged sets in little sandwich baggies so that each student would have their own individual set.  Here is a link to print your own.


Once I decided to go this route, I also found an article from Math Giraffe where he shares some large size Algebra tiles that could be used on a magnetic white board. I plan on having these printed on Astrobright Cardstock as well as being laminated, so that they will hold up and last as long as possible.  Then, I have purchased magnetic strips to adhere to the backs so that I can move them around my board to model Quadratics. 


Hopefully there was something here that you found useful and will be able to implement, to ensure that all of your students are able to access and engage in the learning.


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