Missing Number Mysteries: Explorations in Algebra Level 1: FREEBIE

Give your students dozens of algebraic equations to solve with the unknown number in all positions.

Students will write each station number on the blank for that equation, then solve to find the value of the missing number. For example, for station “G”, the station number is 1 and the equation in box G on page 1 reads “___ = ? - 4.” The child will write 1 on the blank so the equation reads “1 = ? - 4.” Next, the child will determine that the missing number is 5 (because 1 = 5 - 4) and will write “5” on the answer space. [And if your students would write “3” instead, because they want to make the equation read backward – “1 = 3 – 4” – as mine do at the beginning of every year – then this resource is perfect for you!] :)

Use these resource pages as stations, centers, task cards, scoot, daily warmups, or more:

• Scoot: place a station number on each student’s desk, then have students “scoot” to the next desk at your signal, record that station number, and solve the equation.

• Walkabout: place station numbers in a path around the classroom. Give each student his/her own paper (or allow children to work with partners!) and visit the stations in any order.

• Condensed walkabout: save yourself the cutting! Place the two pages of station numbers in different places and allow students to collect all the numbers on each page at a time, then sit somewhere else to solve.

• Math center: again, no cutting necessary. Place the two pages of station numbers (in sheet protectors?) in your math center with copies of the student papers.

• On-screen warmups: this time, save yourself the printing, too! Display one page of station numbers on your smartboard each morning. Children will take out their math paper, record those station numbers, and solve those equations as their warmup.

Answer keys are included! You can use these papers as practice, assessment, homework, etc. and grade them yourself. But you can also:

• Check answers orally as a class or in small groups and have children discuss/explain their responses;

• Have students check with a partner: “If you both have the same answer, it’s probably right. If your answers are different, you have to figure out what the correct answer is!”

• Leave the answer key in a designated place for students to check their own work.

This FREEBIE will introduce you and your students to “Missing Number Mysteries,” which are available in many levels:

• Level 1: Adding and Subtracting within 20

• Level 2: Adding and Subtracting within 100

• Level 3: Adding and Subtracting within 1000

• Level 4: Multiplying and Dividing within 100

Each of the addition/subtraction packets includes:

• FOUR sets of station numbers (30 numbers per set to be plugged into the 30 equations on each student page). Each set is provided in color AND black and white.

• FOUR student pages per set of station numbers: You will print each set of station numbers ONE time and be able to use it FOUR times. Each packet provides 480 algebraic equations to solve!

• Complete ANSWER KEYS for all student pages.

• TEACHER DIRECTIONS page to leave for a substitute – your math sub plans are written! ;)

The multiplication/division packet includes SIX sets of station numbers and student pages (a total of 720 equations).

You might also like these word problem packets:

Reading for Math: Building Comprehension of Story Problems (word problems with sums and differences within 20)

Math Story Problems: Two Digit Addition and Subtraction (word problems within 100)

Choose Your Math: Two Step Word Problems (students can choose whether to use simple or complex numbers for each problem)

Happy teaching!

:) Amanda