Math lesson plan · 7th grade (Year 8 in England) · 60 minutes
Write and solve two-step equations from real situations
Algebra
CCSS 7.EE.B.4.AEngland: KS3 AlgebraEngland: GCSE Foundation Algebra
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Write and solve two-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 two-step equations with negative numbers
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 · 6 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Solve two-step equations with negative numbers). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Solve: −2x − 15 = −13 → x = -1Prompt: First undo the subtraction: add 15 on both sides.
- Solve: 5 − 2x = −11 → x = 8Prompt: Subtract 5 from both sides.
- Solve and check by substituting: 6x − 5 = −29 → x = -4Prompt: To undo − 5, do the opposite.
Hook · 6 min
- Show a "think of a number" puzzle and ask the class to work out the starting number.
- Share the objective: Write and solve two-step equations from real situations. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 12 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: A phone plan costs $19 per month plus $8 per GB of data. One month's bill was $51. How many GB were used?
- Step 1: 8g = 51 − 19 = 32
- Step 2: g = 32 ÷ 8 = 4
- Answer: 4
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 12 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- A phone plan costs $12 per month plus $6 per GB of data. One month's bill was $54. How many GB were used? → 7Prompt: Write the equation: 12 + 6g = 54.
- A rectangular dog run is 4 m wide. Its perimeter is 84 m. Use 2L + 8 = 84 to find its length L, in m. → 38Prompt: Subtract 8 from both sides.
You do: independent practice · 17 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 · 7 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Ethan has $150 saved and adds $19 each week. After how many weeks will Ethan have $435? → 15Prompt: Equation: 150 + 19w = 435.
- A rectangular dog run is 3 m wide. Its perimeter is 68 m. Use 2L + 6 = 68 to find its length L, in m. → 31Prompt: Subtract 6 from both sides.
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 two-step equations with negative numbers.
- 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-7.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder