solving equations
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Solving 1 Step Equations Scaffolded
Students start work on solving equations in 6th grade. They work on it in 7th and 8th and into algebra classes in high school and college. Despite this, many struggle at all levels with solving. I have witnessed and heard about this at each level. This post addresses one possible reason, which is the students…
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Solving 2-Step Equation Scaffolded
Solving 2-step Equations is an escalation in terms of task demand. Starting in elementary school, they are exposed to math sentences in which there is a single operation. Now they are asked to choose a number to eliminate. This post provides details about a scaffolded handout. It addresses the choice of number to eliminate and…
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REVISED: Scaffolded Handouts for Solving
I previously posted scaffolded handouts for solving 1 step linear equations. I added a couple steps to create a new handout. In it I flesh out ALL of the steps, including identifying the inverse, the number to eliminate, simplifying the expressions to get the identity (0 or 1) and then simplifying again to eliminate the…
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Intro to Solving Equations – Seesaws and Oranges
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Sequence of Algebra 1 Videos
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Math Videos for Middle School and Algebra 1
I am rolling out a series of videos on math topics from middle school and algebra 1. Here is a link to the folder with the accompanying handouts. This post will be updated periodically. Let me know if your school is covering a topic that is challenging and students would benefit from an alternative presentation.…
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Concepts vs Skills – Need Both
In general math is taught by focusing on the steps. Conduct a Google search for solving equations and you will see the steps presented (below). You need a video to help your student understand solving and you typically get a presenter standing at the board talking through the examples. (I’ve posted on my approach to…
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Introduction to Solving Equations
I introduce solving equations by building off of the visual presentation used to introduce equations. The two photos below show an example of handouts I use. Below these two photos I offer an explanation of how I use these handouts. First I develop an understanding of a balanced equation vis-a-vis an unbalance equation using the…
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Introduction to Equations – (Meaning Making)
This is a meaning making approach to introducing equations. I will walk through the parts shown in the photo in the space below this photo. (A revised edition of this handout will be used in a video on this topic.) First I explain the difference between an expression (no =) and an equation (has =).…
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Example of Using Support Class to Support Current Math Content
I have posted on how to effectively provide support for current math topics. Here is an example (below) of how support can focus on both the current topic and prerequisite skills. For example, on the 22nd in this calendar the current topic is solving equations. The steps for solving will include simplifying expressions and may involve…