In Algebra, teachers tend to start completely over with solving equations as if the students have never seen equations before. Students have been solving equations for a while at this point. I thought it would be nice to take a look at a few questions from the state assessments in Texas to show what the students should know before coming to Algebra. I am a stickler for understanding what students should already know before they get to me and what they will learn after my class. This helps us to know what and how to teach certain content. My advice to all new math teachers: Do not get stuck in one math subject. Move around above and below where you like to be so that you understand fully what students have learned and will learn. Take a look at the questions below to get an idea of what they are tested on in 6th and 7th grades:
I don’t think there is anything wrong with reviewing the material. If you read my last post about Algebraic Expressions, you learned that I still review this every year. I do think this means that we should not spend too much time covering material that they should already know. The Pandemic has caused some issues with learning gaps, so it’s important that we recognize that we might have to review, refresh and even reteach. Continue to look at the next set of problems to see the progression:
It’s obvious by the time students finish Algebra, they should be able to solve multi-step equations with variables on both sides that contain the distributive property and might contain decimals or even fractions. It is very important that students understand how to check their answers. If the test is multiple choice, they will be able to get the answer correct by plugging in the answer choices. (I don’t like that, but before the STAAR test I make sure they know all the tricks and tips.)
My progression on teaching students how to solve equations goes like this:
- Review solving one- and two-step equations. Discuss how an x is really 1x. Discuss inverse operations.
- Practice checking solutions.
- Use the distributive property in equations. Show students how to distribute and other alternate methods depending on the look of the problem.
- Solve problems with variables on both sides. Use combining like terms.
- Solve more complicated multi-step equations.
- Solve equations with decimals and fractions. Teach students to clear decimals and fractions. (This is a skill that will come in handy on the college entrance exams.)
- Solve equations that have no solution or infinite solutions.
- Setting up and solving equations from word problems.
You may end up spending more time in this area than you planned, but think about how much it will help the students in other areas. If they have a good foundation of solving equations with one variable, then solving inequalities, literal equations, linear functions, quadratic functions and exponential functions will be much easier.
The progression that I discussed earlier is contained in some lessons that you will see below. I bundled this material in a comprehensive unit that contains:
- Expressions
- Solving Multi-step Equations
- Special situation in Equations (no solution, infinite solutions, clearing decimals and fractions)
- Writing and Solving Equations
- Equation Assessments
- Inequalities
- Literal equations
This will be what I’ll use this year in my Algebra classes. All of these activities come with a PowerPoint for notes, a PDF packet with notes, practice and a quiz. There are also a few digital activities dispersed among the resources. Good Luck and remember how important it is to give your math students a strong foundation!
Time Flies Edu 