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11/19/2015 17 Comments

Introducing Exponents

-- a complete, free lesson on exponents --(with a collection of all the resources you need)
Introducing Exponents - a free lesson for 5th and 6th grade math (free)
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Grade Level: 5/6
Skills:  understanding & simplifying a basic exponential expression (b^n)
Materials: colored pencils, calculator, 1 computer with youtube access, Exponents "Doodle Note" sheet, Exponents worksheet, Exponent card sets, and "Understanding the Power of Exponents" half sheet (all free downloads)
Time: 60 min

1.  Start with the basics - vocabulary and concept.  Distribute the Exponents "Doodle Notes" worksheet.  Remind students that when they first learned multiplication, it was represented as repeated addition.  Now, the concept of simplifying an exponent can be represented like repeatedly multiplying.

Guide the class to complete the note sheet, and allow time for students to embellish, complete the examples, color, and answer.  (See the benefits of this format here.)

Emphasize the difference between the "base" and the "exponent" and discuss special situations, like powers of 1 and 0.  Stop after 15 minutes, as students will have more time to work through the problems and color later (or they can finish for homework).

-- 15 min --
free exponents doodle note lesson
Click the image for the free file download.
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2.  Stations - Split your students into groups that will rotate through three learning stations.  At each station, they will practice or investigate exponents further.

Some take longer than others, so it is a perfect time for them to continue the independent portions of the note sheet at any station that they finish early.

-- 10-15 min per station --

Station A:

I grabbed this awesome free "Springing Into Exponents" game from Finding Joy in 6th Grade.  It is awesome for a station (or even more than one station if needed) because it can be played in different ways. 

Just tell students whether they should play as "war," "go fish," etc. (or let them choose!)

This is awesome practice with different forms of basic exponent expressions.
lesson plan for introducing exponents - free download for 5th and 6th grade
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Station B:

This worksheet is a great way to help students work through understanding how all the pieces work together.

Since the bottom rows have them work backwards, it is great for critical thinking. 

I found this one as a free download from Jersey Teacher. 

Click here to get the Exponents "Missing Parts" worksheet.
free lesson on basic exponents
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Station C:

Put out a laptop or tablet with this youtube video open:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCFSy_JKz3g

It is quick (Just 2.5 min) and reinforces how exponents work with a quick little song and visuals. 

Also have a copy of this half sheet: "Understanding the Power of Exponents" out and ready for each student (free download).

Students should watch the video, then make a guess at the value of each expression. 

Once they have guessed, allow them to use a calculator to find the true value. 
I also like kids to write, so I recommend having your students write a quick sentence or two on the back telling whether or not they were surprised.  How close were their guesses?
Introducing Exponents - stations for grades 5 & 6 - free downloads
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Understanding the Power of Exponents
Click the image to download.

When students finish the task at a station, they can continue working on the "doodle note" sheets until it is time to move on.
For more lesson ideas, free downloads, and updates, sign up for the Math Giraffe email list:
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Check out these related posts for more ideas:
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17 Comments
Suzanne Renae link
1/8/2016 10:24:29 pm

I can tell that you are a fabulous teacher. Thanks for sharing your ideas with others.

Reply
Math Giraffe link
1/9/2016 06:19:32 pm

Suzanne, you are so sweet. You're very welcome, and thanks so much for your kind words. :)
-Brigid

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Kristin
8/31/2016 08:40:54 pm

Thank you! I found your DoodleNotes first, so I just used those for the original lesson on exponents. I think the students appreciated the format, but the content didn't stick with some of them as much as I'd hoped... These additional resources will be great centers for our review day!

Reply
Math Giraffe link
8/31/2016 10:29:59 pm

Hi Kristin!
Thanks so much! Yeah, doodle notes always have to be followed up with lots of practice. I'm glad this helps :) Have an awesome school year!
-Brigid

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keelei
9/20/2017 10:44:52 am

are you guys in florida

Alyson LaBarge
8/22/2017 08:34:23 pm

Brigid - You so totally rock girl!! Tomorrow is the first actual day of school and your lesson has given me so many ideas for both tomorrow and the future! Homeschooling is not for wimps but with math not being my strongest subject, I know how to search out and find great teachers like you. Thank you for all you share with us!

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Math Giraffe link
8/23/2017 08:47:08 am

Aw, Alyson,
You just made my day! :)
Thank you so much for your comment.
I am so glad to hear that you can use the ideas!
Enjoy the first day!
-Brigid

Reply
keelei
9/20/2017 10:47:25 am

math giraffe, i think that you are very kind!!

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Erin
9/27/2017 11:32:39 pm

Thank you for providing such a wonderful resource!!

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Bing
10/1/2018 04:59:03 am

Thanks for sharing your great ideas. Keep it up and God bless.

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Saskia
1/25/2019 06:23:46 pm

This is such beautiful material, thank you. I will use some of it for the start of the powers and exponential functions unit with my 9th-graders. I am especially exited about using doodle notes!

Reply
Math Giraffe link
1/26/2019 10:02:28 am

Thank you so much, Saskia!
I hope your students enjoy this. :)
Let me know how it goes, and if there is anything else I can do to help.
Have a great weekend!
-Brigid

Reply
Chandra Daniels
1/29/2019 10:33:05 pm

You saved my life with this one. I needed a great way to teach exponents and this is awesome. Thanks for sharing so much.

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Deb Weber
10/13/2020 02:15:30 pm

My district prohibits teachers pay teachers on district computers any way to get this in another format so I can utilize these materials?

Reply
Math Giraffe link
10/18/2020 01:02:39 pm

Hi Deb,
It's a PDF file, so the best way would probably be to download at home, print it, and then take a copy to school. You can also just download the PDF at home, send it to yourself in an email, and grab it as an attachment at school if you do not have a home printer. Thanks and have a wonderful week! :)
-Brigid

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Julie
3/29/2021 01:39:45 pm

Thanks for sharing this great resource. Your Doodle Notes are so engaging! I'm wondering if you would consider changing the way you have worded the explanation of the what the "b" means... Technically, it's not how many times it is "multiplied by itself".... it is "how many times it is used as a factor"... For example, if we write: b * b, b is only "multiplied by itself" 1 time, not 2, but it is used as a factor twice. Here's some more information about how this language can lead to misconceptions: https://www.quora.com/If-an-exponent-indicates-how-many-times-the-base-number-is-multiplied-by-itself-then-why-doesnt-3-with-exponent-of-1-equal-9-and-3-with-an-exponent-of-2-equal-27

Reply
Math Giraffe link
4/10/2021 01:12:09 pm

Hi Julie,
You are so right! I am really sorry about that. I am nitpicky about these things because they matter!... and am now mad at myself for this! I apologize. I'm recovering from surgery and am very behind on everything, but I'll fix it up when I update this file. Thanks, and have a great day! :)
-Brigid

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