LEARN NC

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

Equation Math-O

Students will review different types of equations by playing Math-O.

A lesson plan for grades 6–7 Mathematics

By Tracy Howell

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Learning outcomes

Students will review solving equations, including 1-step equations, 2-step equations, equations with variables on both sides, equations where combining like terms is required, equations where distributive property is used, and rational equations.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

90 minutes

Materials/resources

  • Math-O Boards (5X5 board)
  • Pencils
  • Items to cover answers (buttons, beans, etc.)
  • List of equations
  • Overhead transparency of answers to the equations
  • Small slips of paper with the equation and appropriate column listed

Technology resources

  • Overhead Projector
  • Calculators (Optional)

Pre-activities

Students will need to know how to solve various types of linear equations.

Activities

  1. Before the lesson, the teacher will need to make a list of equations to be used in the game. The teacher should have 8 to 10 equations and answers for each of the letters M, A, T, H, and O. The answers to the equations will need to be put on an overhead transparency. Be sure to list the answers under the appropriate columns of M, A, T, H, and O.
  2. Put each equation and its column on a slip of paper and place in a hat or cup. The students will create their own Math-O boards. Using the answers from the overhead transparency, they can use any five of the given answers for each column. You may choose to give a free space in the middle square.
  3. The game is played by the teacher choosing an equation from the hat or cup. He/she gives the students the equation and the column the answer is in. The students work the problem to see if they have the correct answer on their boards.
  4. The game is over when a student has five answers in a row either across, down, or diagonally.

Assessment

  1. The teacher will check the student’s board who gets Math-O first.
  2. After the game, the teacher will choose some of the equations to do with the class on the overhead.
  3. Final assessment will be a test on solving equations.

Supplemental information

Comments

This lesson can easily be adapted for integer operations, inequalities, and many other topics

North Carolina curriculum alignment

Mathematics (2004)

Grade 7

  • Goal 5: Algebra - The learner will demonstrate an understanding of linear relations and fundamental algebraic concepts.
    • Objective 5.03: Use and evaluate algebraic expressions, linear equations or inequalities to solve problems.
    • Objective 5.04: Develop fluency in the use of formulas to solve problems.

  • Common Core State Standards

    • Mathematics (2010)

      • Grade 6

        • Expressions & Equations
          • 6.EE.3Apply the properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions. For example, apply the distributive property to the expression 3 (2 + x) to produce the equivalent expression 6 + 3x; apply the distributive property to the expression 24x + 18y to...
          • 6.EE.5Understand solving an equation or inequality as a process of answering a question: which values from a specified set, if any, make the equation or inequality true? Use substitution to determine whether a given number in a specified set makes an equation...
          • 6.EE.7Solve real-world and mathematical problems by writing and solving equations of the form x + p = q and px = q for cases in which p, q and x are all nonnegative rational numbers.

        • Grade 7

          • 7.EE.1Apply properties of operations as strategies to add, subtract, factor, and expand linear expressions with rational coefficients.