Algebra Tiles

In Anne's Algebra sessions we were introduced to Algebra Tiles.

Using algebra tiles to express (a+b)(a+b)

The templates for these can be found here. Acadia list a number of ways that they can be used, which can be accessed here. A few applications are found below:

COLLECTING LIKE TERMS

EXPANDING BRACKETS

X	2R	3
R	2R2	3R
2	4R	6

UPDATE: 22/05/2013 Having used these with a Year 9 class where the general teaching style is less exploratory and more methodical, I received the following feedback (food for thought!)

• confusing because they weren't labelled
• didn't need them
• gave me one more thing to remember
• distracting for some students
• helped me a little but confused me compared to the way I already knew it
• they helped me solve equations
• I could literally see the equation and understood it better
• gave me a visual way of doing the sum
• interactive and helpful to get started with the grid method
• easier to understand the method we were using