It seems exponents are a bit tough to teach. Students need to understand how they work. Ideally, they should even have the basic ones memorized – particularly if you’re working on order of operations! So it’s time to get a little practice in! Here’s a round-up of all the great exponent activities I could find!
Create a Foldable
This first idea is one of the first exponent activities I found online, and I used it every.single.year. Thanks go out to To The Square Inch for this awesome exponent foldable idea!
Want to take that foldable idea to the next lesson? Coffee Cups and Lesson Plans has the same type of foldable idea, but she included vocabulary and terms with hers! You can check it out here.
Play a Game (or Race!)
Misty Miller has a great freebie on TpT. It’s an exponents (and expressions) math relay. You can set it up just like a real relay race, but in the classroom! Use just the exponent sheets or go for the expression ones too.
Pre-Assess, Quiz, or Check Understanding
If you’re wanting to check basic understanding of the exponent terms, then this freebie from Jersey Teacher is for you! I love it because it has them identify the base and exponent. Plus it makes them write it out in expanded notation before writing down the answer. They just HAVE to understand it by the time they’re done with this printable!
More Review with a Game
How about a card game? This is a great way to get some extra practice in while having fun! Students compete to make the number with the highest value, but you could change the rules to create the smallest number as well. It definitely involves some critical thinking skills! Here’s another variation from Learn with Math Games.
Use Those Critical Thinking Skills
Speaking of critical thinking skills, you know my Magic Square Puzzles require them! This exponents Magic Square Puzzle will have students practicing 24 different exponents in one puzzle. The puzzle format makes them think! {Plus it comes in differentiated versions!}
QR Codes
If QR Codes are your thing, then you’ll love this freebie from Sara Oberheide. With two sets of cards, you’re sure to find some that will be a perfect fit for your class!
Another Fun Game Idea!
Joy in Sixth has a great freebie in her TpT store! With the cards she has included, your students can play War, Go Fish, or Memory (Concentration).
Math Center Game
Exponent Tic Tac Toe would be another game option. This would work particularly well during centers or for early finishers who you KNOW understand the concept pretty well since they will be self-checking their answers. Plus it’s another free activity!
If you have a great exponent activity, I would love to hear about it. Shout it out in the comments below!
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