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Lesson 4: Balancing Act

Learning Intention: We Are Learning To write and solve simple linear equations.

Starter (10 mins)

Think of a Number

Play a "think of a number" game. "I'm thinking of a number. I add 5, and the answer is 13. What's my number?" Students work backwards. Explain that this is what we do when we solve equations: we perform the "inverse operation".

Main Activity (25 mins)

The Equation Balancer

Introduce the idea of an equation as a balanced scale. What you do to one side, you must do to the other. Use physical balance scales with weights if available, or draw them.

Use the "Equation Balancer" handout. Students work through a series of one-step equations, showing their working by applying the inverse operation to both sides.

View Handout

Plenary (15 mins)

Create Your Own Problem

Students write their own simple word problem that can be solved with a one-step equation. They translate it into algebra and solve it. For example: "There were some birds on a wire. 5 flew away, and now there are 8 left. How many were there to start with?" (b - 5 = 8).

Students can share their problems with a partner to solve.

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