Students are finishing up our Hands-On Algebra Unit that teaches them all of the skills they need to be prepared for Algebra in middle school! This program teaches students in a fun, hands-on style that keeps them actively learning and practicing skills every lesson!
Hands-On Equations is a supplementary program that can be used with any math curriculum to provide students with a concrete foundation for algebra. It uses the visual and kinesthetic instructional approach developed by Dr. Henry Borenson to demystify abstract algebraic concepts. This hands-on, intuitive approach enhances student self-esteem and interest in mathematics.
What are the benefits of using Hands-On Equations? (click on "Read More" to continue...)
Hands-On Equations is a supplementary program that can be used with any math curriculum to provide students with a concrete foundation for algebra. It uses the visual and kinesthetic instructional approach developed by Dr. Henry Borenson to demystify abstract algebraic concepts. This hands-on, intuitive approach enhances student self-esteem and interest in mathematics.
What are the benefits of using Hands-On Equations? (click on "Read More" to continue...)
- No algebraic prerequisites are required
- It is a game-like approach that fascinates students
- The gestures or "legal moves" used to solve the equations reinforce the concepts at a deep kinesthetic level
- The program can be used as early as the 3rd grade with gifted students, 4th grade with average students and 5th grade with LD students; it also serves as an excellent component of a middle-school pre-algebra program
- Students attain a high level of success with the program (see research studies section)
- The program provides students with a strong foundation for later algebraic studies
- The concepts and skills presented are essential for success in an Algebra 1 class
Algebra concepts your student will learn in only seven lessons!
- the concept of an unknown
- how to evaluate an expression
- how to combine like terms
- the relational meaning of the equal sign (both sides have the same value)
- the meaning of an algebra equation
- how to balance algebra equations (using the subtraction property of equality)
- the concept of the check of an equation
- the ability to solve one and two-step algebra equations
- solving equations with unknowns on both sides (see video)
- how to work with a multiple of a parenthetical expression
In Levels II and III, students learn:
- the concept of the opposite of an unknown
- how to evaluate algebraic expressions involving x and (-x).
- the additive property of inverses
- the addition property of equality
- the additive identity property
- the concept that subtracting an entity gives the same result as adding its opposite
- addition and subtraction of integers
Students learn much more than just algebra. They learn that:
- mathematics is a subject one can understand
- mathematics can be learned without memorization
- they need not be intimidated by algebraic symbols
- they can enjoy doing mathematics
- they can communicate their mathematical reasoning to others
- they can use concrete materials to model abstract equations and word problems
- they can have success in one of the most “difficult” topics of mathematics
- they have far greater learning potential then they ever realized