LEARN NC

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

Mathematics — 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.

Additional related resources

We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.

General resources

Aligned lesson plans

Savor the rainbow
Use skittles to help the students practice the concepts of sorting data, recording data, writing the data collected in fraction form (part/whole), changing the fractions into decimals and percents, and taking the data collected and making a spreadsheet, bar graph, and circle graph of the data.
Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Mathematics)
By Beverly Revis.
Linear equations
In CareerStart lessons: Grade seven, page 2.2
In this lesson for grade seven, students calculate monthly bills for cell phone plans using linear equations.
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Mathematics)
By Peggy Dickey and Barbara Turner.Adapted by Sharon Abell.
Interior designers: Working with area
In CareerStart lessons: Grade seven, page 2.4
In this lesson for grade seven, students will act as interior designers, and will measure the walls of the classroom to determine the area of each wall.
Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Mathematics)
By Peggy Dickey and Barbara Turner.Adapted by Sharon Abell.
The highways or the byways: Mapping routes in North Carolina
In North Carolina maps, page 2.1
In this lesson, students use mathematical skills to choose the best routes for traveling around the state. Students will also use various internet resources for determining and plotting distance and ratio of miles per hour to time.
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Mathematics)
Equation Math-O
Students will review different types of equations by playing Math-O.
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Mathematics)
By Tracy Howell.

Resources on the web

Which pocket?
In this lesson, students continue their investigation by discovering a rule to predict the pocket in which the ball will land. As an extension, students can also consider the number of squares that a ball crosses while traversing its path. Illuminations... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Taking its toll
Students compare the price of a toll to the distance traveled, investigate data numerically and graphically to determine the per-mile charge, and predict the cost if a new tollbooth were added along the route. Illuminations provides an activity sheet, an... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Supreme Court handshake
During this lesson, students will explore the handshake problem, a classic problem in mathematics that asks, “How many handshakes occur when n people shake hands with each other?” Groups work to determine how many handshakes take place... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Real Estate Tycoon
This year-long project from Illuminations is divided into three parts and reinforces skills that lay a foundation for algebra, such as measurement, fractions, decimals, percents, and proportions. Students design, “build,” and “sell”... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
The plus sign and triangle
In this lesson, students use a plus sign to explore the concepts of identity, inverse, commutativity, and associativity. Students will: Determine the identity element for a geometric operation. Decide if there is an inverse... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Patterns and functions
Students investigate properties of perimeter, area, and volume related to various geometric two- and three-dimensions shapes. They conjecture, test, discuss, verbalize, and generalize patterns. Through this process they discover the salient features of... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Learning about rate of change in linear functions using interactive graphs: Constant cost per minute
In this two-part example, users can drag a slider on an interactive graph to modify a rate of change (cost per minute for phone use) and learn how modifications in that rate affect the linear graph displaying accumulation (the total cost of calls). In this... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Investigating fire environments
In this lesson that focuses on wildfires, students consider the meaning of the term variable, both in a mathematical and an everyday sense, by considering a text based “equation.” Illuminations provides a handout and activity sheet to complete... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Graphical representations for the number of hits
In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students continue their exploration of the Paper Pool game by graphically analyzing data collected during several games played. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Golden ratio
Students explore the Fibonacci sequence, examine how the ratio of two consecutive Fibonnacci numbers creates the Golden Ratio, and identify real-life examples of the Golden Ratio. Illuminations provides an activity sheet, and overhead template, and detailed... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Everything balances out in the end
Students use a pan balance to study equality, order of operations, numerical and variable expressions, and other key algebraic concepts. In this three part unit, students learn how using a balance can contribute to algebraic understanding. Math Content:... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Constant dimensions
Students will measure the length and width of a rectangle using both standard and non-standard units of measure. In addition to providing measurement practice, this lesson allows students to discover that the ratio of length to width of a rectangle is constant,... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Burning questions
This is the culminating lesson for this unit. Students use information from a quiz, along with what they learned in the previous four lessons, to write a summary and finalize a property sketch. Students measure their own progress in a final activity by... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Beyond handshakes
Using spreadsheets, students will explore another pattern, that of the triangular numbers. This exploration will enhance students’ ability to generalize a pattern with variables. Illuminations provides handouts and detailed instructions for completing... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Barbie bungee
In this lesson, students model a bungee jump using a Barbie doll and rubber bands. The distance to which the doll will fall is directly proportional to the number of rubber bands, so this context is used to examine linear functions. Illuminations provides... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–12 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics