When helping Year 8 students write algebraic expressions from word problems, I've found some strategies that really make a difference. Here’s what works:

1. Read Carefully: Students should read the problem a few times. This helps them spot important details and understand what the problem is about.

2. Identify Keywords: Look for key words that show what math operation to use. For example:

   • “Sum” or “more than” means addition (+).
   • “Difference” or “less than” means subtraction (-).
   • “Product” means multiplication (×), and “quotient” means division (÷).

3. Define Variables: Teach them to use letters for unknown amounts. For example, if the problem is about apples, they can use “x” to represent the number of apples.

4. Build the Expression: Help them change the words into math expressions step by step. For example, if the problem says “three more than twice a number,” they would write it as 2x + 3.

5. Practice, Practice, Practice: The more problems they work on, the more confident they will feel. Regular practice helps them get better!