What is a Variable? - Grades 6-8

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Summary

This toolkit will address a conceptual understanding of variables. Because of the multiple ways that mathematicians use variables, many students have several misconceptions about variables that hinder their algebraic thinking. The goal of this toolkit is for students to be able to understand variables as unknown quantities that can change.

Goals and Standards

Colorado Academic Standards:

6.EE.A. Expressions & Equations: Apply and extend previous understandings of arithmetic to algebraic expressions.
- 6.EE.A.2 Write, read, and evaluate expressions in which letters stand for numbers.

Mathematical Practice Standards:

MP2: Reason abstractly and quantitatively
MP3: Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others
MP6: Attend to precision

Learning Goal:

Students will extend their understanding of arithmetic to expressions involving unknown quantities.
Students will conceptualize variables as known quantities that c______________________________________________________________________