Early Algebraic Thinking

          Module 1: Exploring Patterns and Sequences

Section 1: Recognizing Patterns in Nature
- Lesson 1: What Is a Pattern?
  - Module 1, Section 1, Lesson 1: Introduction to identifying patterns seen in plants, animals, and the weather.
- Lesson 2: Nature’s Pattern Puzzles
  - Module 1, Section 1, Lesson 2: Engaging puzzle activity to spot recurring elements in natural settings.

Section 2: Patterns in Numbers
- Lesson 1: Counting Patterns
  - Module 1, Section 2, Lesson 1: Discovering number sequences through counting games.
- Lesson 2: Number Puzzle Challenges
  - Module 1, Section 2, Lesson 2: Solving fun puzzles that use arithmetic progressions.

Section 3: Identifying Patterns in Shapes
- Lesson 1: Shape Matching
  - Module 1, Section 3, Lesson 1: Learning to recognize repeating arrangements in different shapes.
- Lesson 2: Shape Pattern Activities
  - Module 1, Section 3, Lesson 2: Interactive exercises for ordering shapes in a sequence.

Section 4: Creating and Extending Patterns
- Lesson 1: Building a Pattern
  - Module 1, Section 4, Lesson 1: Hands-on activity to create simple patterns using everyday objects.
- Lesson 2: Extending the Sequence
  - Module 1, Section 4, Lesson 2: Practice extending established patterns with guided challenges.

Section 5: Group Pattern Challenges
- Lesson 1: Collaborative Pattern Search
  - Module 1, Section 5, Lesson 1: Group activity to find and discuss patterns in different contexts.
- Lesson 2: Team Puzzle Solving
  - Module 1, Section 5, Lesson 2: Cooperative puzzle challenge highlighting pattern recognition skills.

Module 2: Understanding Variables

Section 1: What Are Variables?
- Lesson 1: Variables as Placeholders
  - Module 2, Section 1, Lesson 1: Introduction to the concept of a variable as a symbol that holds a place for a number.
- Lesson 2: Recognizing the Unknown
  - Module 2, Section 1, Lesson 2: Simple activities to identify unknown factors in everyday puzzles.

Section 2: Variables in Everyday Life
- Lesson 1: Variables Around Us
  - Module 2, Section 2, Lesson 1: Exploring examples of variables in daily situations, such as asking “how many?”
- Lesson 2: Variable Hunt
  - Module 2, Section 2, Lesson 2: Interactive scavenger hunt activity to spot variables in fun scenarios.

Section 3: Using Variables in Simple Expressions
- Lesson 1: Forming Simple Expressions
  - Module 2, Section 3, Lesson 1: Introduction to writing expressions using a variable and numbers.
- Lesson 2: Expression Matching Games
  - Module 2, Section 3, Lesson 2: Matching game where students pair expressions with their meanings.

Section 4: Visualizing Variables
- Lesson 1: Story Problems with Variables
  - Module 2, Section 4, Lesson 1: Using basic stories to show how variables can represent unknown quantities.
- Lesson 2: Drawing Variable Stories
  - Module 2, Section 4, Lesson 2: Illustrative exercises linking pictures with variable expressions.

Section 5: Exploring Variable Relationships
- Lesson 1: Changes and Comparisons
  - Module 2, Section 5, Lesson 1: Simple activities comparing different situations with or without variables.
- Lesson 2: Variable Relationship Puzzles
  - Module 2, Section 5, Lesson 2: Group puzzle challenges that explore how variables interact with numbers.

Module 3: Simple Expressions and Relationships

Section 1: Understanding Expressions
- Lesson 1: What Is an Expression?
  - Module 3, Section 1, Lesson 1: Defining expressions in a way that relates to real-life situations.
- Lesson 2: Expression Exploration
  - Module 3, Section 1, Lesson 2: Interactive activities to build and interpret simple expressions.

Section 2: Components of an Expression
- Lesson 1: Identifying Parts
  - Module 3, Section 2, Lesson 1: Breaking down an expression into numbers, variables, and operation signs.
- Lesson 2: Hands-On Expression Building
  - Module 3, Section 2, Lesson 2: Using manipulatives to construct expressions from given pieces.

Section 3: Equality and Balance
- Lesson 1: Introduction to Equality
  - Module 3, Section 3, Lesson 1: Informal discussion on the idea of balance in expressions using everyday examples.
- Lesson 2: Balance Games
  - Module 3, Section 3, Lesson 2: Puzzle activity using balance scales to represent equal expressions.

Section 4: Comparing Expressions
- Lesson 1: Similar or Different?
  - Module 3, Section 4, Lesson 1: Comparing two expressions through simple rearrangements.
- Lesson 2: Interactive Comparison Challenges
  - Module 3, Section 4, Lesson 2: Group challenge to sort expressions based on similarities.

Section 5: Expression Story Problems
- Lesson 1: Real-Life Expression Scenarios
  - Module 3, Section 5, Lesson 1: Story problems that incorporate expressions in a narrative format.
- Lesson 2: Solving the Story
  - Module 3, Section 5, Lesson 2: Collaborative work on resolving story-based expression puzzles.

Module 4: Basic Equations and Balancing

Section 1: What Is an Equation?
- Lesson 1: Equation Introductions
  - Module 4, Section 1, Lesson 1: Explaining equations as statements of equality in simple terms.
- Lesson 2: Equation Puzzles
  - Module 4, Section 1, Lesson 2: Activity where students match equations to real-life scenarios.

Section 2: Building Simple Equations
- Lesson 1: From Expression to Equation
  - Module 4, Section 2, Lesson 1: Converting expressions into simple equations with one unknown.
- Lesson 2: Equation Crafting
  - Module 4, Section 2, Lesson 2: Hands-on exercise where students build equations using number tokens.

Section 3: Solving Simple Equations
- Lesson 1: Finding the Missing Number
  - Module 4, Section 3, Lesson 1: Guided problem solving to determine the value of a missing variable.
- Lesson 2: Equation Trail
  - Module 4, Section 3, Lesson 2: Step-by-step puzzle trail that reinforces the solving process.

Section 4: Balancing Equations with Visual Aids
- Lesson 1: The Balance Scale Analogy
  - Module 4, Section 4, Lesson 1: Using a literal balance scale to demonstrate equation balancing.
- Lesson 2: Interactive Balancing Activities
  - Module 4, Section 4, Lesson 2: Group exercises using visual props to illustrate balance concepts.

Section 5: Equation Games and Challenges
- Lesson 1: Equation Relay Races
  - Module 4, Section 5, Lesson 1: Team-based races where students solve equations to advance.
- Lesson 2: Puzzle Challenge Final
  - Module 4, Section 5, Lesson 2: Final group challenge that combines all the equation-solving techniques learned.

Module 5: Fun with Algebraic Problem Solving

Section 1: Introducing Problem-Solving Strategies
- Lesson 1: How to Approach a Problem
  - Module 5, Section 1, Lesson 1: Overview of basic problem-solving steps using everyday language.
- Lesson 2: Strategy Games
  - Module 5, Section 1, Lesson 2: Interactive games that encourage thinking and planning before solving puzzles.

Section 2: Translating Stories into Algebra
- Lesson 1: From Words to Equations
  - Module 5, Section 2, Lesson 1: Simple examples of turning a short story into an algebraic expression.
- Lesson 2: Story Puzzle Practice
  - Module 5, Section 2, Lesson 2: Group activity that challenges students to write equations based on stories.

Section 3: Using Variables to Solve Puzzles
- Lesson 1: Puzzle Solving with Variables
  - Module 5, Section 3, Lesson 1: Practice unraveling puzzles by identifying and using variables.
- Lesson 2: Collaborative Variable Games
  - Module 5, Section 3, Lesson 2: Team puzzles that require discussing variable choices to solve challenges.

Section 4: Creative Applications of Algebra
- Lesson 1: Designing Your Own Puzzle
  - Module 5, Section 4, Lesson 1: Encouraging creative thinking by having students create simple algebra puzzles.
- Lesson 2: Sharing and Solving Peer Puzzles
  - Module 5, Section 4, Lesson 2: Peer review and solving of puzzles created by classmates.

Section 5: Review and Celebration
- Lesson 1: Recap of Key Concepts
  - Module 5, Section 5, Lesson 1: Review session highlighting patterns, variables, expressions, and equations.
- Lesson 2: Algebra Celebration Challenge
  - Module 5, Section 5, Lesson 2: Fun, final group challenge and celebration activity to reinforce all the learned fundamentals.