How to Use to Algebra Tiles Middle School Mathematics

Introduction to how to use Algebra Tiles. These tiles, the "base ten blocks of middle school" are the go-to tool in any good algebra teacher's arsenal.
Buy yourself a set for use at home right here: goo.gl/tnjaUN
Andy Field is a voice actor and former middle school math teacher. He holds a masters degree in curriculum and instruction, with a concentration in mathematics and science.
You may have heard his voice in the wildly popular video game, Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location.
Before becoming a voice actor, Mr. Field was a middle school math, science, and STEM teacher, and taught elementary mathematics methods at the University of Mississippi.
To hear his voice, check him out at www.andyfieldvoiceover.com.

[@AndyFieldVoiceActor]

Check out my website at www.andyfieldvoiceover.com!

[@listman3865]

Wow, what an inspiring math teacher! I sure hope he doesn't become the comic relief voice actor in a popular game series about haunted robot animals!

[@thischannelisnolongeractiv5147]

Mr. Handunit Makes Math Interesting!

[@eileenmichaels8871]

Thank you this was a clear explanation

[@AndyFieldVoiceActor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RainierFajardoProduction]

*HI MR. ANDY!! I HAVE A GREAT TEACHER THAT WAS MY MOST IDOL!! HE TEACH ME ARCHITECTURE AND I LEARN SO MUCH FROM HIM.. HIS NAME IS ANDY TOO!! ANDY ARE GREAT PEOPLE THO!!*

[@Skane365]

I'm not a fan of these new approaches to math, but I appreciate your video since it stated the assumptions one makes (e.g. the smallest squares are unit squares) that weren't stated in my daughter's math book. So many sources and videos fail to point out the basics. Thanks!

[@superresch64]

Welcome X Benedict! 2:52

[@AndyFieldVoiceActor]

🤣

[@ashleyplunkett6512]

Great intro to algebra tiles!!!

[@mountkamu]

How can you have negative X squared? I am wondering this because if you take a negative number and multiply it by itself you get a positive number, and if you square a positive number you get a positive number. e.g -2*-2=4 2*2=4.

[@distion]

If you multiply 5 and -5, you get -(5^2), since it's technically -1*5*5

[@AndyFieldVoiceActor]

negative X squared is really "the opposite of" x squared. If you looks at it like this: -x^2 then we have to think of the negative sign in front of the variable as a (-1), since when you multiply something by negative 1 you get its opposite. So with that in mind, according to the order of operations (PEMDAS), the exponent comes first, and then the negative sign. So -5^2 is -25. (-5)^2 is 25. Hope that helps! Sorry for the late reply!

[@avyuktschannel5183]

nice what a legend

[@tiarailic4086]

I can't stand algebra tiles...absolutely no offence to you teaching,but I'm in grade 10 and was never taught this till this year. I understand if you give me an equation,but all I see are boxes and squares and they freak me out!!! and I have a moth provincial in 3 days and I'm freaking right out!!!!

[@tiarailic4086]

I've have been horrible at math since the beginning of my schooling. It's a miracle,that I've gotten this far!However I have excelled at English and History, and have taken a college Shakespeare acting course. Yes I know that what I'm doing is way easier than that say kids of the 80's did. And I get frustrated at myself for that. However I'm trying. I know that I'm not going into anything science or math related cause it just aint me! thanks anyways :) ps. I'm not an American, greeting from Canada eh?

[@tiarailic4086]

thanks, I have my exam today,I'll try my best :)

[@AndyFieldVoiceActor]

7 years later, I wonder how you're doing.

[@drossington]

Forget the haters. This video was very helpful. I also teach 7th grade math and need to learn how to use tiles.

[@jotttis8680]

Fuck off school is gay AF get a real job

[@andycypress7654]

+Gurjot S His Job is a teacher...You need school to get a job...How does he fuck off...Happy Birthday

[@lystellmar9522]

Gurjot S -_- srsly you need to learn so you can help your family and have a good Iife... and school is not gay where do you think you get friends? Are you just going to stay at your house or your home and do nothing with your life? Well if you do nothing then your a complete idiot! Study hard and have a good job in the future..😕

[@Jayyy2timez]

Nice vid I am in 8th grade and started school a week ago I wanted to learn about dis to prepare for the test

[@Teomaniac]

Yo I didn’t know the legend was also a mathematician NOOOOIIICCEEE

[@AndyFieldVoiceActor]

I taught middle school math, science, and STEM for many years! I have a masters degree in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in elementary mathematics. And I minored in math.

[@Teomaniac]

@@AndyFieldVoiceActor yo that’s awesome dude

[@abiruiz8123]

Hello! Would you tell me how you set up your device to record your videos? I am a teacher and I do tutoring online. I send videos to my students all the time, but I can't find how to set my device so it's comfortable for me and it visually clear for my students. Please help as soon as possible.

[@abiruiz8123]

Thank you!

[@funkistfrog]

Yo you need to be my teacher but in high school

[@operter4198]

Tutorial Unit really giving tutorials

[@ryanshanley1061]

idk y i laughed so hard at this XD

[@ChrisRow]

what a savage, andy.

[@BeeWhistler]

Yeah... that did not in fact explain how to use the tiles. That was a starter about what their value is and I still think they're a bad idea.

[@dawnhirsh6263]

Before one can use a tools, one has to know what they are and how to use them!

[@kiiing_]

Hi

[@Ethan-kt7op]

I look at this dude and all I see is the bald head and the american flag. Its awesome. He also teaches really well and I understand this much better now.

[@jastern949]

Why does X always ≈ 5.2? Fans of Algebra Tiles cheat and say (as here): "Since the length of the X bar is not divisible evenly by the 1x1 squares (it's not exactly 5 or 6), we're going to pretend that means, 'Unknown' ". This exception is presented slickly as if it were a "rule". It is NOT a rule. It is a PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM. If it is a rule, then does this mean that whenever we get a fraction in our future math lessons, we can call that an X? There are many other issues as well, some minor, others major. (Why are positive numbers using different colors for different sized tiles, but negatives are all red? Is this significant? Or not? Also, when using AT's with equalities (equations on both sides of an equals sign), certain manipulations (movements of the tiles) are "legal" under the system, and other manipulations/moves which are more intuitive to a young mind are actually illegal.) All of these factors are "dirty", rather than presenting a "clean" system to a young mind. Finally, when one tries to use AT's for more and more advanced concepts, the more exceptions have to be introduced, as well. By the time the system becomes completely untenable, it has to be abandoned. Algebra Tiles is an ugly (inconsistent) system whose proponents ignore the exceptions and problems, even when these problems are pointed out to them by other adults. But forcing young minds either to load this clutter into their heads, or (for those who SEE these problems early on) to sublimate their good seeing and play along -- these are even uglier.

[@AndyFieldVoiceActor]

You seem nice. Thanks for stopping by!

[@stephenjones6472]

I gave you a thumb-up. I'd say "thumbS-up", but in reality it is only one thumb; I only get one vote. I'm in my second semester of student teaching and looking at the new common core textbook we'll be using, filled with algebra tile stuff, which I'm not really good at. I'm scared to death! I think I'm going to plow through this without using the tiles....?

[@stephenjones6472]

But how can I learn it....and TEACH it within the next few days?

[@handsanitizer9792]

anyone from ms s's class here?

[@ryanshanley1061]

lol