Math Lesson Plan · Grades 6–9
Combining Like Terms and Distributive Property Lesson
Teach students to simplify expressions using the distributive property and combining like terms together. The lesson reviews each skill separately, then shows how to distribute first and combine like terms second to fully simplify an expression. Includes 20 practice problems and answer key.
Subject
Math
Grades
Grades 6–9
Skill Focus
Combining like terms, distributive property, simplifying expressions, algebra, math
Lesson Length
30–45 minutes
Lesson Overview
Distributing and Combining Like Terms to Simplify Expressions
When an expression contains parentheses, distribute first: multiply the factor outside the parentheses by each term inside. Then identify like terms in the resulting expression and combine them. For example, 3(2x + 4) + x simplifies to 6x + 12 + x = 7x + 12.
The nine-page lesson reviews combining like terms and the distributive property separately, then integrates both skills. Students complete 20 practice problems and check their work using the answer key on page 9.
How to Use This Lesson
1. Review combining like terms rules (pages 1–2). Reinforce sign awareness and term identification.
2. Review the distributive property and practice distributing (pages 3–5). Use numeric and variable examples.
3. Combine both skills: distribute then combine like terms together (pages 6–7). Assign the 20 practice problems (page 8) independently. Review answers using the key on page 9.
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Full Member Resource · Printable PDF · 9 pages
Combining Like Terms and Distributive Property Lesson
Nine-page printable: distributive property, combining like terms, integrated practice, 20 problems, and answer key. Grades 6–9.