LESSON PLAN

One-Step Equations with Variables

Apothem Team

Grade 5 · Algebra & Patterning

LESSON AT A GLANCE

Warm-up

5 min

Explore

15 min

Consolidate

10 min

Practice

12 min

Exit ticket

3 min

Warm-up

Show the balance: left side has X + 5; right side has 14. The balance is level: X + 5 = 14. To find X: remove 5 from both sides. X = 9. Verify: 9 + 5 = 14. True. The balance model makes the algebraic manipulation physical and intuitive.

Explore

Equation card sort and solve: 16 cards covering all four operations and all three unknown positions (start, change, result). Students sort by operation, solve each, verify each. Partner check: swap and re-verify your partner's work. Discuss any discrepancies.

Consolidate

Practice

Students solve 8 equations (2 per operation), write equations for 4 word problems, and verify all 12 answers. Exit ticket: solve and verify X/5 = 8.

Exit ticket

Students solve 8 equations (2 per operation), write equations for 4 word problems, and verify all 12 answers. Exit ticket: solve and verify X/5 = 8.

TIP Verification is the most important habit in this unit. Without verification, students cannot know if they have solved correctly. With verification, they always know.

WORKED EXAMPLES

Solve and verify: 9X = 63.

Inverse of multiplication is division. X = 63/9 = 7. Verify: 9 x 7 = 63. Correct. X = 7.

Write and solve: a cedar grows X cm per year. After 8 years it has grown 96 cm. Find X.

Equation: 8X = 96. X = 96/8 = 12 cm per year. Verify: 8 x 12 = 96. Correct.

MATERIALS

•Equation balance scale

•Variable equation cards

•Word problem to equation recording sheets

•Verification checklists

WATCH FOR

!Students may divide instead of multiply for X/4=9: X = 9/4 = 2.25. Remind: X is divided by 4, so undo with multiplication: X = 9x4=36.

!Students may solve correctly but skip verification because the answer comes easily. The habit matters regardless of difficulty.