Grade 6 Math Lesson Plan: Algebraic Expressions

Learning Objectives

• Explain what a variable is and read expressions such as 3n + 2 (3n means 3 × n).
• Write expressions from words, including "more than", "less than", "times" and "divided by".
• Evaluate expressions by substituting values, using the order of operations.
• Simplify expressions by combining like terms.
• Use the distributive property to write equivalent expressions, and check them with numbers.

Lesson Procedure

• Read the overview and success criteria before teaching.
• Lesson 1 — Variables and writing expressions (50 min): follow the stage table (warm-up, teach, practice, exit ticket).
• Lesson 2 — Evaluating expressions (50 min): follow the stage table (warm-up, teach, practice, exit ticket).
• Lesson 3 — Like terms and equivalent expressions (50 min): follow the stage table (warm-up, teach, practice, exit ticket).
• Use the matching PowerPoint, worksheet and assessment from this pack — the plan refers to their slide and part numbers.

Assessment

Exit tickets in each lesson. Worksheet Parts A–E with the answer key. Quick Quiz (9 marks) after lesson 2. Unit Test (28 marks) at the end. Homework after each lesson. Performance task (rubric): "Price Plans" — write, evaluate and compare expressions for two real price plans.

Differentiation

Support: Use real bags and cubes for every expression. Challenge: Write an expression for the perimeter of a rectangle with sides (x + 3) and 2x, and simplify. English language learners: Teach operation words with a table and gestures.

Classroom Activity Ideas

• Bags and Cubes (12 minutes, Pairs): Student A secretly puts the same number of cubes in each bag. They show some bags and loose cubes, e.g. 2 bags + 3 cubes.
• Expression Bingo (12 minutes, Whole class): Students write 9 numbers from 1 to 30 in a 3 × 3 grid. The teacher says an expression and a value, e.g. "3n + 2 when n = 4".
• Equivalent or Not? (10 minutes, Small groups): Each group gets a pair, e.g. 3(x + 1) and 3x + 1. They test with 3 different numbers.

Teacher Tips

Use the "number in a bag" image all unit — it makes like terms obvious. Always check equivalent expressions by testing a number.

What's Included

• 4-page lesson plan (PDF + editable DOCX)
• Lesson 1 — Variables and writing expressions (50 min)
• Lesson 2 — Evaluating expressions (50 min)
• Lesson 3 — Like terms and equivalent expressions (50 min)
• Key vocabulary table, materials list and success criteria
• Differentiation (support, challenge, English language learners)
• Common misconceptions with fixes, and teacher tips

Additional Files

• Grade 6 Math Lesson Plan: Algebraic Expressions (DOCX)

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