What is Hands-On Equations®?
Making Algebra Child’s Play®
What is “Hands-On Equations”?
Hands-On Equations® is a visual, hands-on approach to learning algebra. It makes it easy for students in grades three and up to solve math equations. They feel empowered with their success.
The Hands-On Equations program includes algebra manipulatives for the student and the teacher and an instructional system for introducing algebraic equations to students in Grades 3 and up. This intuitive algebra balance model, for which Dr. Borenson received a patent, uses pawns, numbered cubes, and a flat laminated balance to demystify abstract algebraic concepts.
In just six lessons your students in grades 3 and up will learn to solve equations such as 4x + 5 = 2x + 13 and 2(2x + 3) = 3x + 9. In the seventh lesson, they learn a pictorial solution approach.
Watch how easy it is for a six-year-old child to solve this algebra equation.
Why should I teach Hands-On Equations to my students?
Hands-On Equations is an innovative program designed to make algebra accessible and enjoyable for students. These are among the reasons we recommend you teach the program to your students:
- No algebraic prerequisites are required.
- It is a game-like approach that fascinates students.
- The gestures or “legal moves” used to solve the equations reinforce the concepts at a deep kinesthetic level.
- The program can be used as early as the 3rd grade with gifted students, 4th grade with average students and 5th grade with LD students; it also serves as an excellent component of a middle-school pre-algebra program.
- Students attain a high level of success with the program (see research studies section).
- The program provides students with a strong foundation for later algebraic studies.
- The concepts and skills presented are essential for success in an Algebra 1 class.
Algebra concepts your students will learn in Level I (the first seven lessons):
Hands-On Equations provides a comprehensive approach to teaching foundational algebra concepts, empowering students with the tools and understanding they need to succeed. Through this program, students will learn:
- The concept of an unknown
- How to evaluate an expression
- How to combine like terms
- The relational meaning of the equal sign (both sides have the same value)
- The meaning of an algebra equation
- How to balance algebra equations (using the subtraction property of equality)
- The concept of the check of an equation
- The ability to solve one and two-step algebra equations
- Solving equations with unknowns on both sides
- How to work with a multiple of a parenthetical expression
In Levels II and III, students learn key concepts and strategies for solving equations.
Hands-On Equations offers a clear and engaging way to help students build a deep understanding of mathematical properties and procedures. With this program, students will explore:
- The concept of the opposite of an unknown
- How to evaluate algebraic expressions involving x and (-x).
- The additive property of inverses
- The addition property of equality
- The additive identity property
- The concept that subtracting an entity gives the same result as adding its opposite
- Addition and subtraction of integers
Students learn so much more.
Hands-On Equations can transform a student’s perspective and help them discover the joy of learning mathematics. Through this program, students will realize that:
- Mathematics is a subject one can understand.
- Mathematics can be learned without memorization.
- They need not be intimidated by algebraic symbols.
- They can enjoy doing mathematics.
- They can communicate their mathematical reasoning to others.
- They can use concrete materials to model abstract equations and word problems.
- They can have success in one of the most “difficult” topics of mathematics.
- They have far greater learning potential than they ever realized.