Solving Systems of Equations by Substitution Hands On Activity

Help your students finally get it! Solving systems of equations using the substitution method can be a confusing concept for many students. This activity helps ease students into learning by offering an organized, hands-on way to solve systems algebraically. It's perfect for introducing the concept or for intervention!

In this activity, students literally substitute (pick up and replace) expression cards to create a single equation from the system of linear equations. There is a coordinating student work page for students to record their new equation and show their work for solving in an organized way. There are 3 different versions to choose from!

Students create each system using expression cards and then substitute the "y" card with the expression that y equals. They then record their new equation and solve it algebraically on their work page/graphic organizer.

There are 5 systems of equations for students to solve with cards, each increasing in complexity. Some are in slope-intercept form and some are in standard form. An extra system of equations is also included for students to try to solve without having to physically substitute with the cards.

Included in this resource:

• Expression cards for substituting
• Graphic organizer work page for solving (3 versions)
• Teacher display cards
• Answer Key

Use this resource with individual students as an introduction or with small groups during intervention, or model it for your whole class. It's an awesome visual for students who seem to have trouble understanding the idea of substitution and it's the perfect way to introduce the concept! Teacher display cards are included for you to add magnets or Velcro and display on your board for whole-class instruction.

I've used this activity in my classroom for years to introduce systems of equations. I can't even describe what a difference it makes!

Here's what people are saying:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Substitution is always a difficult concept for students to grasp, but this hands on activity facilitates and engages students while using substitution for system of equations."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This really helped my 8th graders envision how to substitute larger expressions into another equation. It made it SO MUCH easier when we transferred it to problems on paper."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Just what my kids who didn't get it- needed."

This activity is used for Common Core Math standard 8.EE.C.8.B Solve systems of two linear equations in two variables algebraically.

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