Math lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 45 minutes
Write and solve one-step equations from real situations
Algebra
CCSS 6.EE.B.7England: KS3 Algebra
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Write and solve one-step equations from real situations.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Solve x + a = b and x − a = b, including decimals and fractions; Solve ax = b and x ÷ a = b, including fraction coefficients
Leads to: the next skill in this area.
Materials: Balance scales or a balance drawing, Algebra tiles, Function machine cards, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Solve x + a = b and x − a = b, including decimals and fractions; Solve ax = b and x ÷ a = b, including fraction coefficients). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Solve: y + 5.9 = 15.1 → y = 9.2Prompt: Subtract 5.9 from both sides.
- Solve: y + 1.5 = 14 → y = 12.5Prompt: Subtract 1.5 from both sides.
- Solve: y + 4.3 = 22 → y = 17.7Prompt: Subtract 4.3 from both sides.
Hook · 5 min
- Show a "think of a number" puzzle and ask the class to work out the starting number.
- Share the objective: Write and solve one-step equations from real situations. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Priya buys 7 identical phone cases and pays $63 in total. Solve 7p = 63 to find the price p of one case.
- Step 1: p = 63 ÷ 7
- Step 2: p = 9
- Answer: p = 9
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Ana buys 3 identical phone cases and pays $42 in total. Solve 3p = 42 to find the price p of one case. → p = 14Prompt: Divide both sides by 3.
- Tariq has 222 followers. After posting a video, Tariq has 345 followers. How many new followers (f) did Tariq gain? (Solve 222 + f = 345.) → f = 123Prompt: Subtract 222 from both sides.
You do: independent practice · 10 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Some stickers are shared equally among 5 friends. Each friend gets 13 stickers. Write an equation and find the total number of stickers, s. → s = 65Prompt: The equation is s ÷ 5 = 13.
- Ana buys 6 identical phone cases and pays $18 in total. Solve 6p = 18 to find the price p of one case. → p = 3Prompt: Divide both sides by 6.
Watch out for
- Doing an operation to one side of an equation but not the other.
- Reading 3x as 3 + x, or thinking x always stands for one particular number.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Solve x + a = b and x − a = b, including decimals and fractions.
- Use concrete materials: balance scales or a balance drawing.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-6.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder