Two Step Equations:
The Distributive Property

Objectives:

• Students will learn the terms distribute, expression and simplify.

• Students will learn how to simplify expressions using the distributive property.

• Students will practice simplifying expressions using the distributive property.

Suggested Grades:

Sixth Grade - Seventh Grade - Eighth Grade - Ninth Grade - including special education students

Lesson Procedure:

Print the classroom lesson plan and worksheet questions (see below).

Lesson Excerpt:

I. Introduction

- "Today we are going to be learning about something called the Distributive Property. Does anyone know what the word distribute means?"
- Allow student answer. To distribute is to hand something out to various individuals. If there aren't any volunteers, use the description below.
- "Think of it this way. Pick up a pile of pencils or rulers. If I am going to distribute these pencils to everyone in the class, what am I going to do with them?"
- Student answer- hand them out.
- "That's right, we are going to hand them out to the students in the class. When we are using the distributive property in mathematics, we are going to "hand out" numbers. You'll see what I mean in a minute."
- "Now, remember back, what are some of the ways that we show multiplication in mathematics?"
- Student answer: x, ( )( ), 3( ).
- "Good, so when we are working with the distributive property, we will be handing out numbers, and we will be using multiplication."
- "Now we are ready to start working with the distributive property."

Continued...