Working through expressions with a green pencil

This tool supports students in working through mathematical expressions step by step.

The solution is as simple as a coloured pencil, a green one, and a sheet of lined paper.
Its strength lies precisely in this simplicity: a familiar, minimal tool that supports the application of an effective strategy for analysing and solving expressions.

It is designed for situations where the maths is understood, but the process becomes difficult to manage on the page. By introducing simple visual anchors, the strategy helps keep track of what comes next, reduce errors, and make thinking visible.

The instructions are included in the downloadable guide below.

Related reflection: A Simple Strategy, A Huge Difference