Activity: Algebraic Charades
A fun, active way to practice translating words into algebra.
How to Play
- Prepare a set of cards with simple word problems or expressions (see examples below).
- Divide the class into two teams.
- One student from a team comes to the front and draws a card.
- The student must act out the phrase on the card without speaking. They can use gestures, numbers, and mathematical symbols.
- Their team has one minute to guess the correct algebraic expression or equation.
- If they guess correctly, they get a point. Then it's the other team's turn.
Example Cards to Create:
- A number plus five (n + 5)
- Ten minus a number (10 - n)
- A number multiplied by three (3n)
- A number divided by two (n / 2)
- A number plus four equals ten (n + 4 = 10)
- Fifteen minus a number is six (15 - n = 6)
- Two times a number plus one (2n + 1)
📋 Teacher Planning Snapshot
Ngā Whāinga Ako — Learning Intentions
A Lesson 2 speaking activity: ākonga act or describe an expression and their group writes it algebraically.
Ngā Paearu Angitū — Success Criteria
- ✅ I can act out or describe an algebraic phrase without saying the symbols.
- ✅ I can write down the expression or equation my team was describing.
- ✅ I can tell whether the card was an expression or an equation.
Differentiation & Inclusion
This activity is speaking-and-listening heavy. Ākonga who do not want to perform can hold the card and direct a classmate, or write the expression for the team. Allow gestures and written symbols but not spoken words — that constraint is what makes the maths visible.