Does the idea of teaching rational expressions to your Algebra students cause you stress? Not only must fraction operations be revisited, it is almost likely near the end of the semester. Whether fall semester, entering the holiday season, or end of the school year, fractions are the last topic on their mind. On the other hand, there are strategies that will successfully prepare students for rational expressions. Keep reading.
- 1. Where to Begin?
2. When to Start
3. Exponent Rules
4. Polynomial Operations
5. Factoring Polynomials
1. Where to Begin?
Where do you begin?
Answer: the beginning.
Beginning where?
With hopes of all hopes, it began no later than middle school and was so solidly learned in middle school that when your Algebra students were seated on the first day of class, there were no questions.
Wouldn’t that be great?
Yes. It would be beyond great if they all understood how to correctly complete fraction operations with no confusion between steps for each operation.
Below are posts related to fractions.
Click on: How to Successfully Prepare Students for Fraction Operations
Click on: https://ledtodiscover.com/middle/how-to-successfully-teach-fraction-operations/
Click on: How to Successfully Teach Fraction Operations with Mixed Numbers
Click on: Fractions, Decimals, and Percent: How to Prepare Students to Successfully Perform Conversions
Click on: How to Convert Between Fractions, Decimals and Percent
2. When to Start
Start the first day of class!
On day 1, I provide a basic math assessment, just to see who knows what. This gives me feedback about what my students know. On day two, we begin fraction operations and practice from that day till the end of the semester. Why? Students forget without review.
Furthermore, this practice also provides success with other topics covered in Algebra such as simplifying expressions, solving equations, graphing, probability, word problems, fractional exponents, state testing, A.C.T. / S.A.T., and life skills
Below is packets that provide instruction and practice for fraction operations.
To locate this product, click on the link below.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Bonnie-Stephan
3. Exponent Rules
In addition, the ability to simplify exponents is another topic to review for successfully preparing students for rational expressions. After teaching exponent rules, continue to provide problems that will review this concept up to rational equations. Yes. Keep reviewing fractions and exponent rules. They forget.
4. Polynomial Operations
Exponent rules are often followed by polynomial operations. Of these, the most significant include adding, subtracting and multiplying polynomials. As success with polynomial operations are the pathway to factoring success, provide practice from here to rational expressions.
Below are products that will make review more fun and prepare students for factoring polynomials.
To locate these products, click on the link below.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Bonnie-Stephan
5. Factoring Polynomials
The ability to factor polynomials is huge! Be sure to spend plenty of time reviewing factoring skills from the time students are introduced to the arrival of rational expressions. Yes. Review, review, review.
To locate these product, click on the link below.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Bonnie-Stephan
Conclusion
True. Some students will enter Algebra with confidence in all skills mentioned. On the other hand, for those who do not, the additional posts and materials may serve as support for others who are not confident.
By providing a review of these concepts shared in this post, you will successfully prepare students for rational expressions.
