Like Term Activity Whole Class

Print out individual terms that vary by variable, degree, and coefficient. Pass out one term to each student. Ask the class to arrange themselves into "like terms." See what they come up with or give them specific instructions on how to gather in like terms. Once students are in correct groups, ask them to "simplify" themselves by adding. Emphasize to students that coefficients change when adding/subtracting like terms, while the variables and exponents do not.