New Activity: Writing & Solving Multi-Step Equations

Today I posted a new Common Core Lesson Plan on Teachers Pay Teachers titled "Writing & Solving Multi-Step Equations". I'm sharing this activity because it has helped my students SOOO much! Every year I look forward to the part of the Algebra emphasis in the seventh grade curriculum. It's my favorite part of the year besides proportions. Though, every year without fail I have to spend twice the amount of time on the unit. For that reason I have decided to take the approach to Equations (mainly multi-step) with a concept development approach. If the students are building the concepts with their own understanding, then they are better able to retain the information and how to accurately solve a multi-step equation.

With this emphasis on concept development my students used this card sort to better prepare themselves for solving these word problems without scaffolding in the future. I know that this helped my 95% students pass their equations test, with only 5% remediation. A win-win if you ask me! :D 

This lesson unit is intended to help you assess how well students are able to solve multi-step real-life and mathematical problems posed with positive and negative rational numbers in any form (whole numbers, fractions, and decimals), using tools strategically. Apply properties of operations to calculate with numbers in any form; convert between forms as appropriate; and assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies. Use variables to represent quantities in a real-world or mathematical problem, and construct simple equations to solve problems by reasoning about the quantities. Solve word problems leading to equations of the form px + q = r and p(x + q) = r, where p, q, and r are specific rational numbers. Solve equations of these forms fluently. 

Included in this lesson are:
-one formative assessment (pre-test) task (two versions)
-card sort activity with concept development of variables and multi-step equations
-one extension activity for students to deepen their conception of multi-step equations
-one summative assessment (post-test) task (two versions)
-answer keys for all the assessments and activities

-how the lesson is tied to common core and mathematical practices

Happy Teaching!
~Kelly

Click HERE for the activity.

I also have BUNDLED all of my expressions and equations activities HERE.  

Please visit my store for more activities: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Kelly-Mccown