Power Up Presentation Slides POWER UP!
Introduction to Exponents
Math 6 • 6.EE.A.1
Warm Up
5 Minutes
Label the parts of this tropical scene:
1. The "Big Foundation"
The drink in the glass...
2. The "Small Accessory"
The umbrella on top...
Let's Explore
Watch & Discuss
Embedded media
PAUSE @ 1:45
What operation is being used? Addition or Multiplication?
PAUSE @ 2:20
If we had \( 3^5 \), what would that look like expanded?
Power Vocabulary
3 4
BASE
The big foundation number that gets multiplied.
EXPONENT
The small "umbrella" that tells us how many times to use the base.
Expanded Form
\( 3^4 \)
\( 3 \cdot 3 \cdot 3 \cdot 3 \)
An exponent tells you how many times the base is being multiplied by itself!
Component Sort
MATCH
Match the Expanded Form card with its Exponential Form partner.
DRAW
Create your own visual analogy (like the drink) to show Base vs. Exponent.
WORK WITH A PARTNER
20 MINUTES
Power Up Teacher Guide Power Up Exponents
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Grade 6 • CCSS 6.EE.A.1
Lesson Objective
Students will identify the base and exponent in a term and write numerical expressions in exponential form. They will visualize the relationship between repeated multiplication and exponential notation through analogies.
Materials Needed
Power Up Slides
Component Sort Cards
Analogy Artist Sheets
Colored Pencils
Exit Tickets
Warm-Up: The Poolside Metaphor
5 MIN
Use Slide 2 to introduce the drink and umbrella analogy. Students should label the "foundation" and the "accessory."
Discussion Prompt: "Why do you think the umbrella is small and up at the top while the glass is big and on the bottom? How might this look if we were using numbers instead of pool snacks?"
Direct Instruction: Video Viewing
5 MIN
Play the video "WHAT IS AN EXPONENT IN MATH?". Ensure students pay attention to the transition from tropical drinks to numbers.
Pause @ 1:45
Ask: "What operation is used? Hint: It's NOT addition or simple multiplication of \( 3 \times 2 \)."
Pause @ 2:20
Predict: "If we have \( 3^5 \), what would it look like in expanded form? How many times is 3 used?"
Activity: Component Sort & Sketch
20 MIN
Step 1: Card Sort. Students work in pairs to match exponential forms to expanded forms. Circulate to check for common errors like \( 4^3 \) matching with \( 4 \times 3 \).
Step 2: Visual Analogy. Hand out the Analogy Artist Sheets. Students must invent their own metaphor (e.g., a tree and a bird, a skyscraper and a helicopter) to represent the Base vs. Exponent relationship.
Closure: Exit Ticket
5 MIN
Distribute the exit tickets. Use this data to determine if students need more practice with expanded form or vocabulary identification before moving to evaluating exponents.
COMMON MISCONCEPTION ALERT
Watch out for students who multiply the Base by the Exponent (e.g., \( 3^2 = 6 \)). Remind them that the exponent is the "boss" who tells the base how many times to multiply by itself . Refer back to the video definition: "An exponent tells you how many times the base value is being multiplied by itself."
Component Sort Cards Activity Component Sort Cards
Cut along the dashed lines. Match the Exponential Form to the Expanded Form .
Set A: Basic Powers
\( 3^3 \)
\( 3 \cdot 3 \cdot 3 \)
\( 5^2 \)
\( 5 \cdot 5 \)
\( 2^4 \)
\( 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \)
\( 10^5 \)
\( 10 \cdot 10 \cdot 10 \cdot 10 \cdot 10 \)
\( x^4 \)
\( x \cdot x \cdot x \cdot x \)
\( 7^1 \)
\( 7 \)
Create your own pair!
Create your own pair!
Analogy Artist Drawing Sheet Student Name:
Date:
Analogy Artist
Visualizing Exponents
Your Creative Challenge
The video used a Tropical Drink for the base and an Umbrella for the exponent. Now it's your turn! Create a NEW visual analogy. Your drawing must have:
A Big Foundation (the Base)
A Small Accessory up in the corner (the Exponent)
In my drawing, the BASE is a:
Why? Because it is the foundation that gets multiplied.
In my drawing, the EXPONENT is a:
Why? Because it is the small power in the top corner.
Be creative! Think of trees, buildings, sports, or space!
Power Up Exit Ticket EXIT TICKET
Power Check
Name:
Date:
1
Look at the expression below. Label each part using the vocabulary words: Base and Exponent .
8
3
2
Write the expanded form below in exponential form .
\( 5 \cdot 5 \cdot 5 \cdot 5 \)
3
In the expression \( x^6 \), which value is the base?
Self-Assessment:
I've got it!
Almost there
Help!
Power Level: 100%
