WHITE (W) = 1

GREEN (G) = 2

RED (R) = 3

BLACK (B) = 4

YELLOW (Y) = 5

PINK (P) = 6

Use six different coloured clips with distinct colours (and letters). Give each student six or seven clips in a chain of two different colours, so they can work out their total value and write the "formula". Examples are given below. Let them exchange chains or add links to make different formulae, writing them down. Then give them a worksheet by clicking HERE! (pdf file)

3Y + 4R = 27

2G + 3B = 16

4P + 1W = 25

USING PAPER CLIPS TO TEACH ALGEBRA

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3 yellow = 15 and 4 red = 12

2 green = 4 and 3 black = 12

4 pink = 24 and 1 white = 1

4P + W = 25

Click below to play a video of this lesson in a Nepal school.