One-Step Equations

What students learn

Students learn to solve one-step equations with negative numbers, decimals and the variable on either side, by undoing the operation on both sides, then checking the solution.

See inside

Watch out

Solve x − 7 = 5.

The mistakes it targets

• Changes one side of the equation only
• Repeats the operation instead of undoing it
• Gets the sign of a quotient wrong
• Reads −x = 13 as x = 13
• Divides when the variable is divided instead of multiplying

The interactive Teacher Deck (32 slides, PowerPoint)

• The Learn page taught on screen: 8 fill-in blanks, each filled on its own click as students write it
• The worked example one slide per step (four steps), each with the reason for the step
• Six practice and three apply problems: a your-turn slide with a think-time bar, then the solution one line per click
• Jump buttons on every slide: go straight to any problem, the answer bank or the exit ticket
• Speaker notes on each problem: the question to ask, the worked answer and the common error to listen for
• A completed deck PDF (19 pages) with every slide fully built, to print or post

The student packet (9 pages)

• Learn: guided notes with four definitions, the key rule, a worked example and a Watch Out error pair
• Practice: two warm-up, two standard and two stretch problems, with an answer bank for self-checking that hides three common-mistake decoys
• Apply: two word problems and one error analysis
• Assess: an exit ticket of four items, two per page, with an I-can self-rating
• Homework (page 5): eight new problems, two warm-up, four standard and two stretch
• Answer key (pages 6–7): every problem worked step by step, five common mistakes with what to do about each, and a grading guide, plus the homework key (page 8)
• Color and ink-saver editions of the whole packet