Algebra help

[notanidea]

What is the best way to intoduce the concept of algebra? I know how to do simple algebra (done A level maths many many years ago). A website or a book would be useful but not sure where to start.

Don't do a is for apple and b is for ball as they think the missing thing has to link with the letter. I would start with the concept of a missing number marked by a cloud and then eventually explain computers don't have clouds so we use letters instead. A box is fine too.
so 3 + * = 7. What is the missing number etc. who are you introducing it to? How old and i might be able to give more help.
Ambleside primary are excellent generally and have some stuff here

She is 9 but is working at a higher level in the school and she was asking about algebra ( not sure if they are introducing it to her at school) but I thought may be if there any interesting sites, book to explain the concept it will be useful.She has read murderous maths a year or so before and I have looked at these books but I only bought the books, which I thought was relevant to her so did not buy Phantom X- which apparently does algebra.

The ambleside primary games link above are great for prealgebra.

A really important early concept in algebra is that, when you're solving an equation, you have to 'do the same to both sides' until you just have the unknown on one side. so for
3x + 2 = 17
you take away 2 on both sides, then divide both sides by 3. stating the obvious I know, but it's really important to know what the = sign means if that makes any sense?

I was thinking of doing this with my stepkids, with a whiteboard - have an 'x' magnet and write out the sum and then talk about what steps you can take so you just get the x on one side. it'd be easier with the whiteboard as you can rub it out as you go. also make sure you go back at the end and show that, if x=5, that's why 3x + 2 = 17.

Oh I don't know, I'm waffling now... sorry

are the murderous maths books any good then?

We are waiting for the Phantom X but she is re reading other murderous books . I will try what you have explained I think I have understood what you have said.

With equations it is really helpful to think of the old faishoned balanse scales. Whatever you do to one side you do to the other so they stay level. |With 3x+2 =17 the key ything is knowing which bit to do first. The last thing you dod is the first thing you undo so BODMAS says we did =2 last so we undo it first.

There's a really good video on Teacherss TV' - can't remember the name of the guy but I guess if you google algebra you'll find it...

Sorry full of typos

Natioal strategies give an idea of what to teach here the examples are particuarly useful

Some interactive stuff on mep website.

www.intermep.org

click on resources and then mep

about halfway down is interactive material. The year 7 bit has an introduction to basic algebra

thanks a lot.Have not been on mumsnet for 2days. We will try the suggestions.