1. Concept Attainment Algebra 1 Like terms

2. Concept Attainment Algebra 1 Like terms
The Goal
Using inductive reasoning via the concept attainment model, students in Algebra 1 will be able to identify like terms.
Concept Attainment Algebra 1 Like terms

3. Concept Attainment Algebra 1 Like terms
Yes or No?
YES NO
3x and 5x 3x and 3
4y and –2y 4x and –2y
6 and –7 6y and –7
5x² and 3x² 5x³ and 3x²
These exemplars are placed on the board in the given pairs. After each pair is placed on the board, the students are asked to try and determine the key attributes.
-11xy and –8xy 9xy and 2x
xy and 4yx 3xy and 4yz
Concept Attainment Algebra 1 Like terms

4. Concept Attainment Algebra 1 Like terms
What is your hypothesis?
Why?
Why not?
At this point I would expect most of the students to have developed a hypothesis regarding the key attributes (the YES items must have the same variables with the same exponents on those variables).
Concept Attainment Algebra 1 Like terms

5. Concept Attainment Algebra 1 Like terms
Not sure yet? Try these!
x³ and 4x³
-xyz and –2yzx
4xy and xy³
10yx² and 4xy²
Then I will place up a pair or more and have the students classify each as YES or NO.
YES NO
Concept Attainment Algebra 1 Like terms

6. Concept Attainment Algebra 1 Like terms
Student Exemplars
Sally Student says, “ 2x and 3x is a YES. But 2y and 3x are NO.”
Billy Student says, “Ok. Then 4x³ and 5x² is NO! Right?”
Sally says, “Yup.”
Students would then create exemplars of their own and apply the YES and NO concepts to show the class that they “got it”.
Concept Attainment Algebra 1 Like terms

7. Share your hypothesis with all of us!
Hands up!
Share your hypothesis with all of us!
Finally, I will ask the students to share what their hypotheses are regarding the key attributes. After we have identified what they are, I go ahead and introduce the terminology, “like terms”.
Concept Attainment Algebra 1 Like terms

8. Concept Attainment Algebra 1 Like terms
References
Click on icon for Internet Reference page on NASA’s Concept Attainment
Click on icon for Internet Reference page on
Creating Learning Experiences article
Concept Attainment Algebra 1 Like terms

9. Concept Attainment Algebra 1 Like terms
The Algebra Group consists of:
Mike
Ann
Roger
Debra
Marge (dragonsong)
Concept Attainment Algebra 1 Like terms