Algebra Teaching Resources
Are you introducing algebra in your 5th and 6th grade math classes this school year? Bring numerical expressions and algebraic thinking to life with the help of engaging printable worksheets, fun algebra games and more teacher-created resources for elementary and middle school math teachers.
The printable and digital teacher resources in this collection are all aligned with the TEKS and Common Core math standards, and they've been designed by the Teach Starter team to be easily edited so you can differentiate instruction easily. Best of all? Each resource has been carefully reviewed by a math teacher on our team to ensure it's ready to add to your algebra lesson plans.
Whether this is your first year teaching algebra or you're just looking for a little extra help to meet all the standards, we've got you covered. Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a look at algebraic thinking.
What Is Algebraic Thinking and Why Is it So Important?
Ever wondered why we teach algebraic thinking in elementary schools? Or what the term entails?
Long before students actually put pencil to paper to solve the equations that tend to come to mind when people hear the word "algebra," they're building a host of skills that all fall under the broad "algebraic thinking" umbrella.
So what does that look like?
On a high level, algebraic thinking is about identifying and understanding relationships that are not limited to specific numerical values. Kids use algebraic thinking to make sense of patterns and represent the relationships between numbers.
Taking things a step deeper, algebraic thinking activities like learning to identify the missing number in a sequence prep our young math learners to later represent and solve problems that involve unknown quantities and changing relationships.
Like so much of what we do in elementary and middle school, we're laying the foundation for our students to succeed in high school (and beyond).
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Roll It! Operations Game
Use this fun game to practice all four operations and/or order of operations.
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5th Grade Math Review – Test Prep Packet
Encourage your students to work through 8 pages of 5th-grade math problems while charting their progress to measure their success.
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Algebraic Expressions & Equations – Worksheet
Write algebraic expressions and equations for 6 different word problems with this worksheet.
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Order of Operations Worksheet
Solve equations using the order of operations with this one-page worksheet.
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5th Grade Math Review – Google Slides Interactive Activity
Review important 5th-grade math standards with a student-led interactive activity that covers 12 different mathematical concepts.
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One-Step Equations (Addition and Subtraction) – Board Game
Use addition and subtraction skills to solve one-step equations with a fun board game.
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Distributive Property Match-Up
Use your understanding of the greatest common factor and the distributive property to match equivalent expressions.
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Greatest Common Factor and the Distributive Property Worksheets
Determine the GCF and use the distributive property to express the sum of two whole numbers as a multiplication equation with a common factor.
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Order of Operations – Mini Book
Learn how to solve equations using order of operations with this mini book.
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Emoji Equation Riddles - Determine the Unknown
Build problem-solving and critical thinking skills with printable Emoji Math Riddle task cards.
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Order of Operations – Instructional Slide Deck
Teach your students how to correctly evaluate numerical expressions by using the order of operations with this instructional slide deck.
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Numerical Expressions Match-Up
Evaluate numerical expressions and find corresponding mathematical phrases with this match-up activity.
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The Escape From Millbrook Manor – Halloween Escape Room
Practice computation skills by solving puzzles with this differentiated Halloween escape room game.
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Number Talks - Order of Operations Task Cards
Build number sense skills with this set of 20 task cards.
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Writing Equations – Interactive Mystery Picture Reveal
Practice representing written statements as a single-variable equation with this self-checking interactive activity.
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Writing Equations – I Have, Who Has? Game
Practice identifying word sentences for different equations with an exciting I Have, Who Has game.
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Evaluate Expressions (One Variable) – Mystery Picture Worksheet
Substitute values for variables and use your understanding of the order of operations to solve expressions with this worksheet.
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Evaluating Expressions – Paper Chain Activity
Use your understanding of the order of operations to evaluate expressions with one or two variables with this paper chain activity.
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Algebraic Expressions – Google Slides Interactive Activity
Practice writing, reading, and solving algebraic expressions with this set of interactive activities.
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One-Step Equations (Addition and Subtraction) – Worksheet
Explore pre-algebra concepts by adding and subtracting whole numbers, decimals, and fractions with this one-step equations worksheet.
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Order of Operations Board Game
Engage your students with a lively board game while using the order of operations to solve numerical expressions.
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Prism Party! –Volume of Composite Rectangular Prisms – Google Slides Interactive Activity
Practice how to find the volume of composite figures with this interactive activity.
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Order of Operations Flipbook
Review how to solve numerical expressions using the order of operations with this printable flipbook.
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Order of Operations – Google Slides Interactive Activity
Simplify expressions by using the order of operations with this Google Slides interactive activity.
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Order Up! Numerical Expressions Worksheet
Solve problems by using order of operations to evaluate numerical expressions.
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Writing Equations From Word Problems – Differentiated Digital & Printable Worksheets
Practice writing equations from word problems with this set of differentiated worksheets.
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Order of Operations Bingo
Review vocabulary and solve expressions with this Order of Operations Bingo game!
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One-Step Equations (Addition & Subtraction) – Interactive Task Cards
Practice solving one-step equations by adding and subtracting whole numbers, decimals and fractions.
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Evaluating Expressions – Match-Up Activity
Practice substituting values for variables while evaluating expressions with this match-up activity designed for 6th-grade students.
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Writing Equations – Match Up Activity
Practice matching word sentences to equations with variables with this 36-card match-up activity.
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Exponential Expressions – Match-Up Activity
Match numerical expressions with exponents to their expanded expressions and solutions with this match-up activity.
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Evaluating Expressions – Task Cards
Use this set of 24 task cards to practice evaluating expressions with a single variable.