Combining Like Terms and Solving Equations

Objectives:

• Students will review the basics of combining like terms.

• Students will learn how to combine like terms to solve one-step equations.

• Students will learn how to combine like terms to solve two-step equations.

• Students will practice combining like terms to solve one and two-step equations.

Suggested Grades:

Sixth Grade - Seventh Grade - Eighth Grade - Ninth Grade - including special education students

Lesson Procedure:

Print the classroom lesson plan and worksheet questions (see below).

Lesson Excerpt:

I. Introduction

- "Today we are going to continue to work on combining like terms, except this time we are going to be solving equations too. But, before we move on with the new information, let's take a minute to review."
- Note: It is important to begin every class with a review of past information as it pertains to the lesson. This will save you time. There is nothing more challenging than introducing a new concept and then having to go backwards to review information that you thought was retained. Special education students will also need a lot of review to assist them in retention.
- "What are some of the things that are important to remember when we are combining like terms?"
- Allow student contribution. List the answers on the board and fill in any that the students miss.
- The numbers may be different, but the variable part of the term must be exactly the same for it to be a like term.
- Always pay attention to the sign in front of the term to determine the operation you need for combining the terms.

Continued...