Algebra: Teaching for Mastery in Primary Maths ǀ Tes

Progression in learning explained by topic

Number and place value Addition and subtraction Multiplication and division Fractions Length, weight, area and volume Time Geometry Statistics Factors, multiples, primes Negative numbers Calculations with four operations Ratio and proportion Algebra Roman numerals Decimals Percentages Money Times tables and skip counting

Number: Algebra

Throughout these chapters, pupils use algebra as a language for expressing unknowns and general rules.

Pupils have already had to find unknowns, patterns and general rules in previous topics. They may have encountered missing number problems, or been tasked with finding the missing angle in a polygon, for example.

Now, pupils will begin to use symbols to express unknowns and numbers, as well as learn some of the rules for manipulating them. In doing so, they will see that algebra helps them to generalise statements and tackle problems that they have only previously been able to solve using diagrams (eg, bar models) or by trial and error.

It is important that pupils are introduced to algebra through concrete objects and pictorial representations, so that they are able to understand the abstract steps involved in solving a simple algebraic equation.

Algebra: Teaching for mastery booklet

Brought to you by Tes in partnership with experts at Mathematics Mastery and the White Rose Maths Hub, this PDF provides teachers with the progression of learning for the topic, broken down into digestible chapters.

It is an ideal starting point for primary teachers looking to brush up on their subject knowledge, or adopt the mastery approach to maths in their classroom.

Check out the Teaching for mastery site, which contains schemes of work accompanied by quality-assured classroom resources.

Download resources to match this topic in the planning and lesson resources pages of the new primary maths section.

By TES Resource Team

Teacher's guide: Teaching for mastery booklet

It is an ideal starting point for primary teachers looking to brush up on their subject knowledge, or adopt the mastery approach to maths in their classroom.

Check out the Teaching for mastery site, which contains schemes of work accompanied by quality-assured classroom resources.

Download resources for all primary maths topics in the planning and lesson resources pages of the new primary maths section.

By TES Resource Team

Chapter 1: Understanding algebra

In this chapter, pupils are introduced to the concept of using letters and symbols to represent unknowns. They apply this understanding to solve problems.

Concrete objects and pictorial representations are pivotal in supporting pupils as they get to grips with expressing problems, such as those with missing numbers, algebraically. For example, they may be given cups and counters in order to work out how many counters are under each cup. Pupils may then use and manipulate bar models to solve the simple algebraic equation. In working through the problem this way, each step becomes less abstract.

As well as solving equations, pupils make use of simple formulae by substituting numbers. These may include formulae they have already met (eg, in finding the area or perimeter of a rectangle) or those that are new to them. They also find pairs of numbers that satisfy an equation with two unknowns and generate and describe simple linear sequences.

Approved resources

Pirates Intro to algebra

Using the theme of Disney's Pirates of the Carribean, pupils will learn to recognise letters can be used in place of unknowns, write basic expressions and start to solve basic expressions.

By hhartshorn

Algebra - creating algebraic expressions

A KS2 sheet for pupils to practice creating algebraic expressions and develop confidence manipulating algebra

By Paul Tyler

Related resources

Substituting into formula crime scene

Substitution where unknown is not the subject crime scene investigation complete with investigation booklet.

Now with a modified easier version practising substitution into formulae where the unknown is the subject. I've changed the order they meet the formulae and added a page to be written on for examples.

By annah03