Middle school students generally enjoy working with patterns and find much success with number patterns. So discovering patterns with positive and negative exponents is a great way to conceptually teach integer exponents.
The general laws of exponents can be developed from the number patterns discovered in the Integer Exponents RoundRobin activity and record sheet. And the discussion of base 10 will set the stage for scientific notation.
This standard (CCSS 8.EE.A.1) will also bridge understanding to Algebra 1 as students explore geometric sequences and exponential functions.
Thanks for the Unit 3 info. I am really pumped about teaching this unit.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! Have fun!
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