Unit #12: Universally Designed Algebra

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Content Area: Mathematics
Grade Level: Seventh Grade - Middle School
School: Alan Shawn Feinstein Middle School, Coventry, RI
Authors: Cara Banspach, Math, Grade 7, ASFMS, Jennifer Kilduff, Special Education, ASFMS, Maria Lawrence, Elementary Education, Rhode Island College

Description: This unit consists of four lessons, presented below:

• Lesson 1: Review of 1-step Equations. This lesson falls in the middle of an algebra skills unit. Topics addressed prior to this lesson include: order of operations, translating expressions and algebraic equations into written form, evaluating expressions for a given value, and operations with integers. Once students have reviewed (from sixth grade curriculum) how to solve one step equations algebraically, they will begin solving multi-step equations, equations that involve combining like terms and equations with variables on both sides of the equal sign.
• Lesson 2: Solving Algebraic Equations. Multistep equations are being introduced in this lesson. The intent of the lesson is to address past challenges regarding (a) the notion of doing something on both sides an equation as relational, (b) what to do first in a multistep process, and (c) thinking and working in reverse with the order of operations. Modeling, cooperative groups, manipulatives, technology, scaffolding, discussion, and text are used in this lesson.
• Lesson 3: Multi-step equations with Combining Like Terms. This lesson falls in the middle of an algebra skills unit. Topics addressed prior to this lesson include: order of operations, translating expressions and algebraic equations into written form, evaluating expressions for a given value, and operations with integers, as well as, a review on solving one step equations and multi-step equations in the form ax ± b = c . Once students have mastered equations that involve combining like terms (taught in this lesson), they will be introduced to equations with variables on both sides of the equal sign.
• Lesson 4: Equations with variables on both sides. This lesson falls towards the end of an algebra skills unit. Topics addressed prior to this lesson include: order of operations, translating expressions and algebraic equations into written form, evaluating expressions for a given value, and operations with integers. Students have reviewed (from sixth grade curriculum) how to solve one step equations algebraically, have learned how to solve multi-step equations in the form ax ± b = c, equations that involve combining like terms and now, equations with variables on both sides of the equal sign.