Properties of exponents
Posted on by FaSMEd
Lesson Plan: A concept development lesson about matching expressions and statements involving exponents.
| Subject: | Mathematics. |
|---|---|
| Age of students: | 14-15 years. |
| Technology: | Small and big cards. |
| Functionalities of Technology: | Sending and displaying. |
| Time needed: | 60-90 minutes. |
| FaSMEd Partner: | The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences Schools Enrichment Centre. |
Summary
This lesson is about using and applying the laws of exponents. After a short introduction, during which the teacher leads a discussion about powers of 2, the students work in small groups. They are given two sets of small cards. On one set expressions, such as 68 ÷ 64, are given. On the other set single values, such as 64, are given. Students are required to put cards with equivalent value into groups. After the activity the teacher holds a class discussion aiming to draw out something about the students’ own learning and to think about the bigger conceptual issues such as why exponential rules work and if students can find different ways to explain why they work.
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