LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Bagel algebra

http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L662

A lesson plan for Grades 6–8 Mathematics

Provider: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

About this resource

Appropriate grades
6–8
Subjects
mathematics (algebra)
Provider
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

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Creative Commons License

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A real-life example taken from a bagel shop is used to get students to think about solving a problem symbolically. Students must decipher a series of equations and interpret results to understand the point that the bagel shop’s owner is trying to make. Illuminations provides a handout and detailed instructions for completing the lesson.

Students will:

  • Explain a situation that uses proportional reasoning.

NCTM Standards and Expectations:

  • Develop an initial conceptual understanding of different uses of variables.
  • Recognize and generate equivalent forms for simple algebraic expressions and solve linear equations.
  • Model and solve contextualized problems using various representations, such as graphs, tables, and equations.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Mathematics (2004)

Grade 6

  • Goal 5: Algebra - The learner will demonstrate an understanding of simple algebraic expressions.
    • Objective 5.01: Simplify algebraic expressions and verify the results using the basic properties of rational numbers.
      • Identity.
      • Commutative.
      • Associative.
      • Distributive.
      • Order of operations.
    • Objective 5.02: Use and evaluate algebraic expressions.
    • Objective 5.03: Solve simple (one- and two-step) equations or inequalities.

Grade 7

  • Goal 5: Algebra - The learner will demonstrate an understanding of linear relations and fundamental algebraic concepts.
    • Objective 5.01: Identify, analyze, and create linear relations, sequences, and functions using symbols, graphs, tables, diagrams, and written descriptions.
    • Objective 5.02: Translate among different representations of algebraic expressions, equations and inequalities.
    • Objective 5.03: Use and evaluate algebraic expressions, linear equations or inequalities to solve problems.

Grade 8

  • Goal 5: Algebra - The learner will understand and use linear relations and functions.
    • Objective 5.03: Solve problems using linear equations and inequalities; justify symbolically and graphically.