Write Algebraic Expressions
I can write algebraic expressions from words and real-world situations.
How to Use This Deck
Click Present or press F11 for fullscreen. Use arrow keys to advance.
Blue boxes show exactly what to say, ask, and how long to spend.
Text boxes, polls, and drag-sort save automatically in the browser.
Press N or click 📝 in the toolbar for pacing tips and answers.
Launch the full HTML activity for independent practice.
File → Print or the print button for handout copies.
🎯 Content Objective / Objetivo de contenido
I can write algebraic expressions from words and real-world situations.
Today's Flow
Total pacing: ~45 min · Progress bar at top tracks your place
LAUNCH
⏱ ~10 min
⏱️ 3 MIN · THINK-PAIR-SHARE
Tickets cost $12 each with a flat $50 venue fee. If t is the number of tickets, how would you write an expression for total revenue, and which part changes with the crowd?
Check for Understanding #1
Teacher: If >30% thumbs down, re-teach with a fresh example before moving on.
Concert Planner
You're planning a concert at the music studio. Tickets cost $12 each, and there's a flat $50 venue fee no matter how many people attend. If t represents the number of tickets sold, how would you write an expression for the total revenue?
Concept Launch
💡 How do we turn words into an expression?
An algebraic expression uses numbers, a variable (a letter for an unknown number), and operations. We read a word phrase and write it with math symbols.
Words like "each" or "per" mean multiply, and "plus" or "more than" mean add.
Check for Understanding #2
Teacher: If >30% thumbs down, re-teach with a fresh example before moving on.
Now it's your turn
VOCABULARY
⏱ ~8 min
| Term / Término | Meaning / Significado | Example / Ejemplo | Visual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Variable Variable |
A letter that stands for a number that is unknown or can change. Una letra que representa un número desconocido o que puede cambiar. |
In 5t + 20, t could be hours worked — if t = 3, the expression equals 35; if t = 8, it equals 60 | |
| Algebraic Expression Expresión algebraica |
A math phrase that has at least one letter. Una frase matemática que tiene al menos una letra. |
3n + 7 means 'triple a number, then add 7' — it has a variable (n), a coefficient (3), and a constant (7) | |
| Coefficient Coeficiente |
The number in front of a letter, like the 3 in 3x. El número frente a una letra, como el 3 en 3x. |
In 8x, the coefficient 8 means '8 groups of x' — if x = 3, then 8x = 8 × 3 = 24 | |
| Constant Constante |
A number on its own that does not change. Un número solo que no cambia. |
In 3n + 7, the 7 never changes no matter what n is — like a flat fee that stays the same | |
| Like terms Términos semejantes |
Terms with the same letter, like 2x and 5x. Términos con la misma letra, como 2x y 5x. |
4x + 2x = 6x (like terms, same variable); but 4x + 2y cannot be combined (different variables) |
Which Word Fits?
A letter that stands for an unknown number is a ___.
Use It In a Sentence
Check for Understanding #3
Teacher: If >30% thumbs down, re-teach with a fresh example before moving on.
Turn & Talk — Launch
Tickets cost $12 each with a flat $50 venue fee. If t is the number of tickets, how would you write an expression for total revenue, and which part changes with the crowd?
👂 Listen For
Students write 12t + 50, identify t as the variable number of tickets, 12 as the coefficient (price per ticket), and 50 as the constant venue fee that does not change.
Extend: If there were also VIP tickets at $20 each (v of them), how would your expression change? Generalize how each ticket type adds a new term.
EXPLORE & PRACTICE
⏱ ~18 min
Visual Modeling Workspace
Use the drawing tray below to annotate the visual model. Teacher: say "Click to reveal" on key steps.
Explore Activity
Read each word phrase and sort it into the correct algebraic expression.
✍️ Explore Discourse
What key words helped you decide which operation to use? How can the same phrase be written differently?
Whiteboard Moment
Show your work clearly. Be ready to explain your thinking to a partner.
Turn & Talk — Explore
How do you turn words into an expression? Why does '12 less than a number g' become g − 12 and not 12 − g?
👂 Listen For
A strong answer matches key words to operations (sum/more than = add, less than = subtract, product = multiply) and explains '12 less than g' starts with g, giving g − 12.
Extend: Translate 'twice the sum of a number y and 4' and explain why it needs parentheses. How is it different from 'twice a number y, plus 4'?
Practice Check A
Which expression represents 'the product of 6 and a number n'?
✍️ Show Your Work
Explain why your answer is correct using today's vocabulary.
Practice Check B
Which expression represents '9 less than a number y'?
✍️ Show Your Work
Explain why your answer is correct using today's vocabulary.
Power Matching
Match each expression to its value. Click pairs that belong together.
✍️ Justify Your Thinking
Match each word phrase to its correct algebraic expression.
A classmate turned in the work below. One step has a mistake. Read every step, find it, name it, and fix it.
Choose ONE option to show what you know — then do it in the workspace below.
Use evidence from today's lesson to complete each frame.
Today's key idea is: "Words like "each" or "per" mean multiply, and "plus" or "more than" mean add." — and it works because ___.
Because Variable means ___, but a tricky part is ___, so I have to ___.
A common mistake with Variable is ___. It happens because ___, and the fix is ___.
I can prove my answer is correct by ___, using Algebraic Expression to check my work.
✍️ TWR · WRITE 3 SENTENCES · 7 MIN
Words like "each" or "per" mean multiply, and "plus" or "more than" mean add. because ___
Words like "each" or "per" mean multiply, and "plus" or "more than" mean add. but ___
Words like "each" or "per" mean multiply, and "plus" or "more than" mean add. so ___
🌱 TWR · GROW THE KERNEL · 6 MIN
Answer these to add detail
Sentence starters (tap to use)
Student Workspace
Read each word phrase and sort it into the correct algebraic expression.
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
✏️ Sketch Your Strategy
Differentiation Paths
Step-by-step with a worked model and sentence frames.
Which expression represents 'the product of 6 and a number n'?
Core practice aligned to the standard.
Extension with error analysis or multi-step reasoning.
Partner Activity
Work with your partner on the practice problems at your differentiation path level. Explain each step using math vocabulary.
Check for Understanding #4
Teacher: If >30% thumbs down, re-teach with a fresh example before moving on.
Real-World Connection
🌍 Math in the Wild
A music studio charges a $25 setup fee plus $8 per hour of recording time. Let h represent the number of hours.
✍️ Connection Reasoning
Write an expression for the total cost. What does each part of the expression represent?
The total cost is ___ + ___h. The ___ represents the ___ and ___h represents the ___.
Turn & Talk — Connect
A studio charges a $25 setup fee plus $8 per recording hour. With h hours, what expression models the cost, and what does each part represent?
👂 Listen For
Students write 25 + 8h, identify 25 as the constant setup fee and 8 as the coefficient (cost per hour) multiplying the variable h.
Extend: Another studio charges no setup fee but $11 per hour: 11h. For how many hours is the first studio (25 + 8h) the better deal? Justify your reasoning.
CLOSURE & REFLECT
⏱ ~8 min
Today I learned that ___ because ___.
One thing I am still not sure about is ___.
Which expression represents '3 more than twice a number n'?
Bonus Exit Check
Which expression represents 'the sum of a number m and 15'?
✍️ Show Your Work
Explain why your answer is correct using today's vocabulary.
Reflection & Self-Assessment
Continue Learning
Launch the Full Interactive Activity
Students continue practice in the HTML lesson engine with auto-check, hints, and differentiation.
Family Connection
Share tonight's family homework and discuss one vocabulary word at home.
Open Family Homework ↗Teacher Notes
⏱️ Pacing Guide
- Launch & vocab: 12 min
- I Do / We Do / You Do: 15 min
- Explore & practice: 15 min
- Connect & closure: 8 min
Total: ~45 min
🎯 Listen For · Common Errors
• Students write 12t + 50, identify t as the variable number of tickets, 12 as the coefficient (price per ticket), and 50 as the constant venue fee that does not change.
• A strong answer matches key words to operations (sum/more than = add, less than = subtract, product = multiply) and explains '12 less than g' starts with g, giving g − 12.
• Students write 25 + 8h, identify 25 as the constant setup fee and 8 as the coefficient (cost per hour) multiplying the variable h.
• Listen for students naming a specific strategy tied to 6.EE.2a — not just "I multiplied." They should connect steps to the key idea.
Common mistake: A common mistake in Write Algebraic Expressions is skipping the key idea: words like 'each' or 'per' mean multiply, and 'plus' or 'more than' mean add — always check your work against this rule before you submit.
Answer Key (Teacher Appendix)
Hide this slide during presentation or move to the end of your copy.
✓ Practice 1: 6n — 'Product' means multiplication, so the product of 6 and n is 6n.
✓ Practice 2: y − 9 — 'Less than' means subtract from the number, so it's y − 9.
✓ Practice 3: m + 15 — 'Sum' means addition, so the sum of m and 15 is m + 15.
✓ Practice 4: Product — 'Product' means multiplication. 'Sum' means addition, 'difference' means subtraction, and 'quotient' means division.
✓ Exit ticket: 2n + 3 — 'Twice a number n' is 2n. '3 more than' means + 3. So the expression is 2n + 3.