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Working with Linear Equations

Strand: Patterns and Relations (Variables and Equations)
Outcome: 3

Step 3: Plan for Instruction

Guiding Questions

• What learning opportunities and experiences should I provide to promote learning of the outcomes and permit students to demonstrate their learning?
• What teaching strategies and resources should I use?
• How will I meet the diverse learning needs of my students?

A. Assessing Prior Knowledge and Skills

Before introducing new material, consider ways to assess and build on students' knowledge and skills related to representing operations with integers, writing and modelling algebraic expressions and substitution for a variable in an algebraic expression outlined in earlier grades.

Ways to Assess and Build on Prior Knowledge and Skills

B. Choosing Instructional Strategies

Consider the following guidelines for teaching patterns in Grade 9.

• Students should be provided with regular opportunities to engage in conversations and discuss open-ended questions to build confidence and competence with mathematics. 
• When students are given opportunities to communicate their thinking (either orally or in writing), explain their reasoning and listen to the strategies used by other students, there are more opportunities to deepen their understanding.
• Have students model equations using balances (actual or pictorial) or algebra tiles. The concrete materials will help reinforce the understanding of abstract concepts, even if the student is already a capable abstract thinker.
• Provide opportunities for students to represent equations in multiple ways, including using manipulatives, pictures, numbers and variables. The more flexible students are in using all of these representations, the better their understanding will be.

C. Choosing Learning Activities

Learning Activities are examples of activities that could be used to develop student understanding of the concepts identified in Step 1.

Sample Learning Activities
What Is the Mass of Each Shape Below?	Download Activities
Equations from Geometric Patterns	Download Activities
Using Algebra Tiles to Solve Equations	Download Activities
Mathematical Debate	Download Activities
Representing and Solving Problems with Linear Equations	Download Activities
Error Analysis	Download Activities
Connecting Algebra to Area	Download Activities
Representing an Area Question with ax = b,  = a and  = x	Download Activities

As you work through these activities with students, reinforce the meaning of the vocabulary of algebra terms that arise, such as:

• variable
• coefficient
• constant
• distributive property
• simplify
• evaluate
• isolate.