Algebraic Expressions — DrFrost Y7 Lesson Notes
Authors: DrFrost Maths, Sarah Allott, Dr J Frost Year: 2024–2025 Venue: DrFrost Learning Platform Link: https://www.drfrost.org/downloadables.php (rid=3, noid=44) Tags: papers math y7 algebra education drfrost Created: 2026-05-30 Last Updated: 2026-05-30
Summary
This collection covers the Year 7 algebra curriculum: introducing algebraic notation, simplifying expressions by collecting like terms, substitution into expressions, forming expressions from word problems, and expanding single brackets. The resources include approximately 27 individual lesson packs ranging from basic notation through to algebraic manipulation.
Core Ideas
- Algebra uses letters (variables) to represent unknown or changing values
- Standard notation: omit multiplication signs, write numbers before letters, use index form
- Like terms have identical variable parts and can be combined by adding/subtracting coefficients
- Substitution replaces variables with given values and evaluates using BIDMAS
- Expanding a single bracket multiplies each term inside by the term outside
- Forming expressions translates real-world scenarios into algebraic language
Teaching and Assessment Focus
- Introduce algebra tiles as a concrete representation before abstract manipulation
- Use function machines to scaffold the concept of forming expressions
- Emphasise that 3a means 3 × a, and a² means a × a (not a × 2)
- Include substitution with negative numbers and fractions for stretch
- Head to Head competitive quizzes provide engaging formative assessment
- All-in-One worksheets give standalone practice with worked examples
Key Resources
- Yr7-AlgebraicExpressions.pptx (28 slides) — Full unit including simplification, substitution, forming expressions
- Introduction to Algebraic Notation — Lesson + 2 exercises (53 slides)
- Collecting Like Terms — 3 All-in-One worksheets (Parts I–III)
- Substitution with the Four Operations — Lesson + exercise
- Substitution with Integers/Powers/Roots — Lesson + exercises
- Form Simple Expressions — Lesson + exercise
- Form and Use Simple Formulae — Lesson + exercise
- Expanding a Single Bracket — Lesson + 2 exercises
- Expanding Two Sets of Single Brackets — Lesson + exercise
- Basic Index Laws with Algebra — Lesson + exercise
- Head to Head: Year 7 Algebraic Simplification — Competitive quiz
- Head to Head: Forming Expressions — Competitive quiz
Related Notes
Sources
drfrost-downloads/Yr7-AlgebraicExpressions.pptxdrfrost-downloads/Intro-AlgebraicNotation-Lesson.pptxdrfrost-downloads/ExpandingSingleBracket-Lesson.pptxdrfrost-downloads/CollectingLikeTerms-AllInOne.pdf