MATHEMATICS LESSON PLAN
GRADE 9
TERM 1: JANUARY – MARCH
PROVINCE:
DISTRICT:
SCHOOL:
TEACHER’S NAME:
DATE:
DURATION:
1 Hour
1. TOPIC: EXPONENTS: Calculations using numbers in exponential form (Lesson 2)
2. CONCEPTS & SKILLS TO BE ACHIEVED:
By the end of the lesson learners should know and be able to apply the following
general laws of exponents:

𝑎𝑚 × 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚+𝑛

𝑎𝑚 ÷ 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚−𝑛 , 𝑖𝑓 𝑚 > 𝑛

(𝑎𝑚 )𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚𝑛

(𝑎 × 𝑡)𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 × 𝑡 𝑛

𝑎0 = 1
Grade 9 Lesson Plan: 1+4 Intervention – Term 1
EXPONENTS: Calculations using numbers in exponential form (Lesson 2)
(Draft)
Textbooks, DBE Workbook 1 and Sasol-Inzalo Book 1
3. RESOURCES:


4. PRIOR KNOWLEDGE:
powers
represent integers in exponential form
5. REVIEW AND CORRECTION OF HOMEWORK (suggested time: 10 minutes)
Homework provides an opportunity for teachers to track learners’ progress in the mastery of
mathematics concepts and to identify the problematic areas which require immediate attention.
Therefore it is recommended that you place more focus on addressing errors from learner
responses that may later become misconceptions.
6. INTRODUCTION (Suggested time: 10 Minutes)
Examples of activities for baseline assessment
1. Randomly check the meaning of the following from the learners
(a) 23
(b) 32
(c) −8
(d) (23 )4
2. Represent the following numbers in exponential form
a) 27
b) 125
c) −8
7. LESSON PRESENTATION/DEVELOPMENT (Suggested time: 20 minutes)
Teaching activities
Learning activities
(Learners are expected to:)
Exponential laws: This section was done in Grade 8.
Assist learners to

consolidate knowledge and calculation techniques for exponents
developed in Grade 8

avoid mistakes and misconceptions which learners do when
working on exponents.
Grade 9 Lesson Plan: 1+4 Intervention – Term 1
EXPONENTS: Calculations using numbers in exponential form (Lesson 2)
(Draft)
Page 2 of 3
ACTIVITY 1
Discuss the contents of the table below with learners to consolidate the
laws of exponents done in Grade 8.
LAWS
𝑎𝑚 × 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚+𝑛
EXAMPLES
32 × 34 = 32+4 = 36 = 729
MISCONCEPTIONS
𝑎𝑚 + 𝑎𝑛 ≠ 𝑎𝑚+𝑛
23 + 24 ≠ 27
58 ÷ 53 ≠ 15
𝑎7 × 𝑎 = 𝑎7+1 = 𝑎8
5 ÷ 53 = 58−3 = 55
= 3 125
8
𝑎𝑚 ÷ 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚−𝑛 ,
𝑖𝑓 m > 𝑛
𝑝6 ÷ 𝑝3 = 𝑝6−3 = 𝑝3
(3 ) = 32×4 = 38 = 6 561
2 4
𝑚 𝑛
(𝑎 ) = 𝑎
𝑚𝑛
(𝑎 × 𝑡)𝑛
= 𝑎𝑛 × 𝑡 𝑛
𝑎0 = 1 where
𝑎>0
(𝑞 4 )5 = 𝑞 4×5 = q20
(3 × 4)2 = 32 × 42
= 9 × 16
= 144
(3𝑥 2 )3 = 33 𝑥 6 = 27𝑥 6
(321)0 = 1
(7𝑚3 )0 = 1
 participate by
responding to question
asked
8
58 ÷ 53 ≠ 53
(𝑎𝑚 )𝑛 ≠ 𝑎𝑚+𝑛
(43 )2 ≠ 43+2
(𝑎 × 𝑡)𝑛 ≠ 𝑎𝑡 𝑛
00 ≠ 1
8. CLASSWORK (Suggested time: 15 minutes)
Sasol-Inzalo Book 1 page 74 - 76 .no 1(a - f), 3 & 8
DBE Workbook 1 page 56 - 65
You may also carefully choose the exercises which show different cognitive levels from workbooks and
any textbook used in your school.
9. CONSOLIDATION/CONCLUSION & HOMEWORK (Suggested time: 5 minutes)

Always apply the appropriate general laws of exponents when solving problems involving
numbers in exponential form


The primary purpose of Homework is to give each learner an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of
mathematics skills taught in class. Therefore Homework should be purposeful and the principle of ‘Less
is more’ is recommended, i.e. give learners few high quality activities that address variety of skills than
many activities that do not enhance learners’ conceptual understanding. Carefully select appropriate
activities from the Sasol-Inzalo Book 1, DBE workbook 1 and/or textbooks for learners’ homework. The
selected activities should address different cognitive levels.

DBE Workbook 1 page xi no. 17 to 22
Sasol-Inzalo Book 1 page 75 no. 4 & 76 no. (5- 7)
Grade 9 Lesson Plan: 1+4 Intervention – Term 1
EXPONENTS: Calculations using numbers in exponential form (Lesson 2)
(Draft)
Page 3 of 3