ALEX Learning Activity

In this free interactive math learning activity from Math is Fun, students learn to gain an understanding of exponents as repeated multiplication by “playing” with an interactive exponent tool.

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Students will be able to use their understanding of exponents as repeated multiplication to develop equivalent expressions and justify integer exponent properties.

Provide the students with a link to the website Exponents from Math is Fun. The class will begin by reading the webpage aloud together from the website. Stop at the Try This section and give the students time to “play” with the interactive by entering numbers of their choice as the base and the exponent. The interactive will generate the solution almost immediately as both the base and exponent are entered. Have the students write an equation as repeated addition, solve, and compare.

Continue scrolling down and reading the webpage aloud with the students while working the examples given. Stop at the section, “What if the exponent is 1, or 0?” Have the students go back up to the interactive and enter any number as the base but enter a 1 as the exponent. What happened? 

Now, have the students enter any number as the base, but enter a 0 as the exponent. What happened? 

Continue scrolling down and reading the webpage aloud with the students while working the rest of the examples. Stop at the YOOO TOOO assessment section and have the students complete this ten-question quiz. 

The ten questions in the section titled YOOO TOOO will be used as an assessment tool to check for mastery of the standard.

The teacher and students will need internet-connected devices.

Students who are struggling may need to be paired with stronger students.

This learning activity can be completed as a whole class activity or as an independent activity.

ALCOS 2019

3. Develop and apply properties of integer exponents to generate equivalent numerical and algebraic expressions.