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Solving Equations

Strand: Patterns and Relations (Variables and Equations)
Outcome: 2

Step 4: Assess Student Learning

Guiding Questions

• Look back at what you determined as acceptable evidence in Step 2.
• What are the most appropriate methods and activities for assessing student learning?
• How will I align my assessment strategies with my teaching strategies?

Sample Assessment Tasks

In addition to ongoing assessment throughout the lessons, consider the following sample activities to evaluate students' learning at key milestones. Suggestions are given for assessing all students as a class or in groups, individual students in need of further evaluation and individual or groups of students in a variety of contexts.

A. Whole Class/Group Assessment

In small groups, have students create a one-page summary (could use Frayer model, mind map, chart or other graphic organizer of their choice) of all techniques they have used to solve equations.  Students may choose to represent the solution to the same problem in a variety of ways.

B. One-on-One Assessment

Examples of One on One Assessment  

C. Applied Learning

Provide opportunities for the students to use their algebraic reasoning in practical situations and notice whether or not the students can use symbols and letters to represent mathematical ideas, to communicate their thinking and to solve problems.

Activity: Go to http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?id=L658 for a great lesson in which students can explore Fibonacci sequence, examine how the ratio of two consecutive Fibonacci numbers creates the Golden Ratio and identify real-life examples of the Golden Ratio.

In this activity, students will:

• represent, analyze and generalize a variety of patterns with tables, graphs and words
• model and solve contextual problems using various representations such as table, graphs and equations.

Related Resources

• Assessment in the Mathematics