1 year ago

Basic Algebra (for addition and subtraction)
Writing Algebra Equations
Algebra (for multiplication, division, addition and subtraction)
PEMDAS
It’s Algebra Time

Have fun learning how to do Basic Algebra with children who understand adding and subtracting up to and including 20. Algebra, strikes fear in the heart of many people, but it does not have to. If you look up the term Algebra, it is intimidating. All Algebra really means is that you are learning how to solve for an unknown number or an unknown variable. I will show you have to lay the foundation for even the youngest student using The Merritt Way Playing Cards. Because our cards have the number 1 and the number 9 clearly displayed, this will help expand good practice skills and reduce confusion for the numbers 6 and 9. If you want to take this simple task to a higher level of difficulty, you could include the zero card from the Bonus Deck and you could include the face cards.

You will learn how to take The Merritt Way Playing Cards and solve for the unknown number. Once a student has had some practice with this, then show the student how to write an Algebra Equation. We have been using the idea of looking for an unknown number, so we will use the letter N to represent the unknown number. We have also already been subtracting a number from both sides of the equation to solve for the unknown number, so now we will show the student the correct mathematical language to reflect that new skill. This is the perfect time to explain to the student that an equal sign is similar to a see-saw. Whatever is done one side of the equation must be done to the other side of the equation so that the see-saw remains level. As you solve for N and the student flips over the hidden card and confirms his/her answer, this is very exciting for the student.

PEMDAS will be explained and a slightly different explanation for why a student needs to learn this acronym for solving Algebra problems will be discussed. PEMDAS refers solving an algebra equation by working through the proper order of operations: do the work inside Parenthesis first, then solve Exponents, then Multiply and Divide (in a left to right manner), then Add and Subtract (in a left to right manner).
To work at this level of Algebra, it is critical that the student is already proficient in adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing positive and negative numbers. (If your student is struggling at this level, a video to help strengthen these skills using The Merritt Way Playing Cards will be available soon.) To accomplish learning how to do Algebra, you will need The Merritt Way Playing Cards, a white-board, a marker, and a die. Listen carefully to my instructions and practice this procedure several times yourself to see the effectiveness of this way before you go to instruct your student. You will first solve the Pre-Algebra problem, and then use the die to determine which card will be flipped over to be the unknown number and set up the Algebra equation. You will want to practice doing this procedure so that you can write and solve the information across from your student, so the student has the best perspective of this work. Have fun solving this equation for the unknown number and feel your own brain get happy and experience a little thrill when you flip over that card and see that you have solved the problem correctly.

To purchase these unique cards and improve your math skills go to MerrittSpeech.com.

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