M&M® Distributing Property

Lesson Plan

Standard 6.EE.3: Apply the properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions. For example, apply the distributive property to the expression to produce the equivalent expression ; apply the distributive property to the expression to produce the equivalent expression ; apply properties of operations to to produce the equivalent expression .

Objective: Given M&Ms, exploratory resource sheets, and practice resource sheets, students will demonstrate an understanding of the use of the distributive property by simplifying expressions and finding perimeter of rectangles.

Time Table: This lesson is designed for a 50-minute class period.

Materials:

  • M&Ms per class: 15 baggies of 6 red, 3 yellow, 2 green, 10 blue, 6 brown, 9 orange.(If you do not want to use M&Ms, you can revise all of the problems to usex and use algebra tiles or just draw and color the M&Ms.)
  • Copies of “M&M® Distributing: Distributive Property Activity” (Student Resource 1)
  • “M&M® Distributing: Distributive Property Activity” (Student Resource 1 Key)
  • Copies of “M&M® Distributing: Distributive Property Practice” (Student Resource 2)
  • “M&M® Distributing: Distributive Property Practice” (Student Resource 2 Key)
  • Copies of “M&M® Distributing: Distributive Property Homework” (Student Resource 3)
  • “M&M® Distributing: Distributive Property Homework” (Student Resource 3 Key)

Lesson Overview: This lesson is a review of the definition of multiplication as repeated addition in an effort to provide the conceptual base for introducing the distributive property. The lesson uses visual representations to model the distributive property and then provides the students with time to practice these skills.

Grouping: The M&M activity can be completed in pairs, and the practice problems can be completed in pairs or individually.

Procedure:

  1. Review Multiplication defined as repeated addition (NOTE: Parentheses mean to multiply).
  2. Distribute and complete as a class problem #1 on“M&M® Distributing: Distributive Property Activity.”
  3. Read the word problem.
  4. Set up the M&Ms.
  5. Write thealgebraic expression.
  6. Write out the repeated addition.
  7. Add the expressions.
  8. Have students complete “M&M® Distributing: Distributive Property Activity” problems #2, 3, 4, and 5 in pairs. Stop between each problem to discuss results.
  9. Problem #5 will be impossible for the students to complete because they will not have enough M&Ms. Ask, “Do you see a pattern or a shortcut we could take instead of using repeated addition?” The answer you are looking for is “We could use multiplication instead.”
  10. Thus, on #5, show them how to multiply one of the following two ways (or both).
  1. Have students complete the 10 practice problems from “M&M® Distributing: Distributive Property Practice” in class either individually or in pairs (at the teacher’s discretion).
  2. Check the 10 problems and go over questions.
  3. Distribute “M&M® Distributing: Distributive Property Homework.”

Homework:“M&M® Distributing: Distributive Property Homework”

Extensions:

More problems that use geometry (Perimeter and Area) could be added to the practice problems and the homework for a geometry review.

Algebra 1Student Resource Sheet 1 Key

NAME: ______PER: ______DATE: ______

M&M®Distributing

Distributive Property Activity

Represent each of the following situations using M&Ms. Then write each as an algebraic expression.

1. three groups of 2 red and 1 yellow

Algebraic Expression: 3(2r +1 y)
Repeated Addition: 2r + 1y

2r + 1y

Total: 6r + 3y
/
  1. two groups of 1 green and 5 blue

Algebraic Expression: 2(1g + 5b)
Repeated Addition: 1g + 5b
+ 1g + 5b

Total: 2g + 10b
3. three groups of 2 brown and 3 orange

Algebraic Expression: 3(2b + 3o)
Repeated Addition: 2b + 3o
2b + 3o

Total: 6b + 9o
/
  1. two groups of 5 blue and 3 red
Algebraic Expression: 2(5b + 3r)
Repeated Addition: 5b + 3r


Total: 10b + 6r

5. twelve groups of 6 green and 8 yellow
/ Algebraic Expression: 12(6g + 8y)

12(6g + 8y) 6g + 8y
12(6g) + 12(8y) x 12
72g + 96y 12(6g) + 12(8y) = 72g + 96y
Total: 72g + 96y

Algebra 1Student Resource 2 Key

NAME: ______PERIOD: ______DATE: ______

M&M®Distributing

Distributive Property Practice Key

The Distributive Property
Let a, b, c be real numbers.
Words / Algebra / Examples
The product of a and (b + c) / /
The product of a and (b – c) / /

Directions: Please simplify the following expressions by using the distributive property.

1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6.

7. 8. 9.

10. 11. A square has sides of12. Find the area of the rectangle.

length

What is the perimeter

of the square?

Algebra 1 Student Resource 3 Key

NAME:PERIOD:DATE:

M&M® Distributing

Distributive Property Homework Key

The Distributive Property
Let a, b, c represent real numbers.
Words / Algebra / Examples
The product of a and (b + c) / /
The product of a and (b – c) / /

Use the distributive property to write an equivalent expression.



2
/

11. Find the area. / 12. Find the perimeter of the regular octagon.

Algebra 1Student Resource 1

NAME: ______PER: ______DATE: ______

M&M®Distributing

Distributive Property Activity

Represent each of the following situations using M&Ms. Then write each as an algebraic expression.

1. three groups of 2 red and 1 yellow

Algebraic Expression: ______
Repeated Addition:


Total:
/
  1. two groups of 1 green and 5 blue

Algebraic Expression: ______
Repeated Addition:
+

Total:
3. three groups of 2 brown and 3 orange

Algebraic Expression: ______
Repeated Addition:


Total:
/
  1. two groups of 5 blue and 3 red
Algebraic Expression: ______
Repeated Addition:


Total:

5. twelve groups of 6 green and 8 yellow
/ Algebraic Expression: ______
Total:

ALGEBRA 1Student Resource 2

NAME: ______PERIOD: ______DATE: ______

M&M® Distributing

Distributive Property Practice

The Distributive Property
Let a, b, c be real numbers.
Words / Algebra / Examples
The product of a and (b + c) / /
The product of a and (b – c) / /

Directions: Please simplify the following expressions by using the distributive property.

1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6.

7. 8. 9.

9. 11. A square has sides of 12. Find the area of the

length rectangle

What is the perimeter

of the square?

Algebra 1 Student Resource 3

NAME:PERIOD:DATE:

M&M® Distributing

Distributive Property Homework

The Distributive Property
Let a, b, c represent real numbers.
Words / Algebra / Examples
The product of a and (b + c) / /
The product of a and (b – c) / /

Use the distributive property to write an equivalent expression.



2 /
11. Find the area. / 12. Find the perimeter of the regular octagon.