Are you having trouble finding engaging digital lessons to cover 7th grade Algebra Standards? Tired of trying to make your own? Students who master the 7th grade algebra standards will do well when they enter Algebra I. And digital lessons are needed to supplement the hands-on lessons we provide. What do they need to know?
Vocabulary
There are many vocabulary terms to cover in 7th grade. I’ve used Frayer Models to help students define and give examples for each term. They fill in the template, color in their square, and then glue these into their notebooks. This gives them something to study for later quizzes and tests. Matching games can be given, in which students match a vocabulary term to its definition. And you can reward students for using algebra vocabulary in their math conversations. The more they use the terms, the sooner they will internalize them.
For classwork, homework, (or when you need a sub!), post a digital vocabulary assignment. This digital lesson introduces and gives examples for vocabulary words such as term, variable, coefficient, expression, constant, equation, monomial, binomial, trinomial, evaluating an expression, equation, etc. Students then drag and drop each term correctly into a sentence frame. They will also have fun unscrambling these terms for an extra challenge.
Writing Algebraic Expressions
Students will benefit in early algebra lessons if they are asked to construct numerical expressions from the written form. For example, write the expression, “Five less than two times a number”? (2x – 5) This takes some practice. But it’s worth the time. The students will have a deeper understanding of what expressions actually mean. Have students construct their own written expressions to quiz their classmates. Give some matching games. Try using index cards and have students work with a partner to match written expressions to their numerical equivalents.
You may want to start with a digital lesson. Students are first asked to drag and drop words such as product, quotient, plus, difference, divided by, twice, etc., into columns of the four operations (add, subtract, multiply, divide). This will help when students are later asked to change expressions to a numerical form. Then the students will drag and drop a numerical expression next to its written form. The students only need to look at the possible choices and match each. They are given several examples to practice before they must come up with expressions on their own. This highly scaffolded lesson helps students slowly learn the process. Those who need more of a challenge can tackle the final example for extra credit.
Evaluating Expressions
To evaluate an expression, students solve an expression with a variable by replacing the variable with a given number. Students will need practice with not only whole numbers, but integers, fractions and decimals. Try introducing this lesson using Marcy Cook Number Tiles. Students are given plastic baggies with square tiles, numbered 0 – 9. A favorite lesson is to give algebraic expressions in a specified sequence. I usually write this on the white board in order, so the slower students can go at their own pace. Tell the students that x = 2, for example. Each solved expression results in a different number 0 – 9. Students solve the expression by replacing the variable with 2, and then taking the tile with that result and placing it to the side of their desk. After 9 expressions are evaluated, the students will have only one tile left over. I have them hold up the final number tile as they finish. Give a thumbs up for those who have the correct remaining tile. Very enjoyable lesson for the students!
You can also use algebra tiles to evaluate expressions. Use these colorful tiles (small yellow squares for positive one, small red squares for negative one, long green rectangles for positive x, and long red rectangles for negative x) as a fun practice. If you want to add x squared terms, use the large blue squares for x squared, and the large red squares for negative x squared. Red will always indicate a negative. After teaching the value of each tile, challenge students to represent given expressions with their tiles. They can work in pairs and help each other to come up with the correct combinations. Give students different values for x and have them evaluate.
This can also be done digitally. Students can move the tiles on their screens to represent expressions and solve for given values of the variable. After several practice problems, students are asked to gather all the tiles for an expression that requires 14 different tiles. Students can then move the colorful tiles around their screen to create a design of their own choice. Another digital lesson has students evaluate expressions by typing in the given value for the variable and solving. Students will be given expressions with more than one variable and expressions using the distributive property. The lesson ends with a riddle that is solved by correctly evaluating several expressions. Students match their answers to a letter that is inserted into the riddle solution.
Evaluating Expressions with Number Tiles 
Evaluating Algebraic Expressions
Distributive Property, Combining Like Terms, Factoring
7th Grade Students are also introduced to the Distributive Property with integers, Combining Like Terms, and Factoring Expressions. Try these digital lessons with drag and drop, matching with a digital draw line tool, and completion of a digital bubble map.
Distributive Property 
Combine Like Terms 
Factoring
Simplifying Expressions with Fractions
Make sure students get plenty of practice using fractions in expressions. Simplifying expressions with fractions will help students tremendously when they attempt to solve algebraic equations. Students often try to avoid fractions, so make sure they keep up their skills with lots of practice.
Simplifying Expressions with Fractions
Multiplying and Dividing Monomials
Before students can move into solving equations, give them some practice multiplying and dividing monomials. Students will find it’s much easier than many other tasks related to expressions. They can solve several problems, practice with drag and drop matching answers, and solve the riddle, “Are Monsters Good at math?”, by solving problems correctly.
Multiplying and Dividing Monomials
One-Step Equations
Try beginning on-step equations using algebra tiles. You can use the colorful manipulatives or have students move them around the screen in a digital lesson. Have students begin by representing the two sides of the equation with the algebra tiles. It’s important they understand that whatever they do to one side of the equation, they must do the same to the other side. They will solve the equation by isolating the long green (x) tile on one side of the equal sign. They will do this by adding tiles to create zero pairs. If they need to eliminate negative 3, they will add 3 yellow tiles to both sides of the equation. They will then take out the zero pairs. The green tile will be alone on one side of the equal sign, and the solution will be on the other side of the equal sign, after eliminating any zero pairs. One-step multiplication equations can be shown by equal groups. For example 5x = 10 will be represented by 5 green tiles and 10 yellow tiles. If each side is divided into 5 equal groups, one green tile (x) will equal 2 yellow tiles. x = 2. Division can be represented by a green tile (x) divided into equal sections. For example x divided by 4 = 3 will be represented by a green tile divided into 4 equal sections, and 3 yellow tiles. The students will place 3 yellow tiles in each of the 4 sections and then count the total yellow tiles. x = 12. The digital lesson will walk students through each of the 4 types of one-step equations.
Two other digital lessons for one-step equations walk students through the steps, use sentence frames, and drag and drop matching activities. Students focus on using the opposite operation to isolate the variable.
One-Step Equations with Algebra Tiles 
One-Step Equations with Multiplication and Division
One-Step Equations with Addition and Subtraction
Two-Step Equations
All of these lessons will lead your 7th Grade students into 2-step equations. Make sure students check their answers by inserting their solution in place of the variable in the original equation. Again, use sentence frames, drag and drop matching, and a digital line tool to solve.
Algebraic Inequalities
And finally, end your 7th grade algebra unit with algebraic inequalities. Start with showing inequalities on a number line. You can use pencil and paper and have students shade in the number line and use open and closed circles. Or do this digitally using drag and drop circles and stretchable arrows to show direction on the number line. Students will solve inequalities much the same way they solve equations. The additional concept students need to learn is that when multiplying or dividing by a negative number, they must change the sign. This digital lesson is fun and walks students through the steps with loads of practice.
Add to your lesson plans and have a thorough unit of digital lessons ready to go each school year. Just assign to students and let them have fun with these engaging, enjoyable lessons!
