Unpack a Standard

Module 6: Planning and Preparation for Learning
Unit 1: Standards
Act. 1
By: Amira Elsherif

Grade 8
Algebra

Common Core State Standards

Mathematics Standards
Grade 8
Expressions & Equations

Analyze and solve linear equations and pairs of simultaneous linear equations.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.8.EE.C.7
Solve linear equations in one variable.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.8.EE.C.7.A
Give examples of linear equations in one variable with one solution, infinitely many solutions, or no solutions. Show which of these possibilities is the case by successively transforming the given equation into simpler forms, until an equivalent equation of the form x = a, a = a, or a = b results (where a and b are different numbers).

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.8.EE.C.7.B
Solve linear equations with rational number coefficients, including equations whose solutions require expanding expressions using the distributive property and collecting like terms.

To address all parts of a standard

Identify what students need to know

Translate Standards Into Lessons

Deciding Teaching Strategies

Planning Lessons

Identify what they need to do to demonstrate they are meeting the standard

Plan assessments

Formative

Summative

Diagnostic

Verbs

Identify what students need to do to meet the standard.

Nouns

Identify the content that students should be learning.

Linear Equation

Equation

Rational Number

Coefficient

Solution

Expression

Distributive Property

Terms

Like Terms

Solve

Expand

Distribute

Collect

Why?

This is a rich standard that contains basic and essential skills that students need to know when they start learning Algebra.
Many of the other topics in Algebra is based on this concept, such as solving simultaneous equations, solving quadratic equations, interpreting and drawing graphs, etc.

Solving equations is a good introduction to understanding that variables have values and that equations could be used to represent predictions in real life.
How a variable could have more than one value. And how to follow a logical path to solve a problem.

The Big Ideas

  • Solving real-life problems. In most situations where there is an unknown quantity, can be represented by a linear equation.
  • Making predictions about what will happen in the future.
  • Identifying the value of an unknown, and figuring out if this unknown value could have one, two, or more than a solution.

Skills
to master this standard
(in order)

Identify parts of an Expressions

Terms

Identify like and unlike terms

Understand what is a rational number

Variable

Coefficient

Collect like terms

Constant

Identify an equation

Expand an Expression

Using the distributive property

Distribute the coefficient over the bracket

Solve an equation

Find all possible solutions of an equation

Understand what is a solution.

Projects and Activities

In-person

Online

Cross-curricular Project
Science and Math

Assessing Students' Learning

As students finished their pre-algebra course in grade 7 and started an introduction to algebra at the end of the year, they start learning their Algebra 1 course in grade 8. During this year, students learn the fundamental basics of algebra, on which they base the concepts they learn ion the following years.

21st Century skills

Problem Solving

Reasoning

Interpretation

Logical Thinking

Critical thinking

Analytical Skills

Growing a plant and calculating the growth rate based on daily growth observation, and find the expected height after a certain period of time according to the recorded growth rate.

In this activity, students learn how to translate word problems into linear equations, and solve them. This is an advanced step in solving equations and one of the challenging activities for students that requires higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills.

In this activity, students learn how could a linear equation relate to real life applications, as they learn how to graph linear equations to construct lines (path) and collect coins/stars in a series of Super Mario levels.

Jigsaw Strategy

  • Students are divided into "Jigsaw" groups.
  • Each student of a "Jigsaw" group practices one aspect of a topic.
  • Students meet with members in "Expert" groups who are assigned the same aspect, to discuss and master the concept.
  • Students return to the "Jigsaw" group and teach the material to their group members.

With this strategy, each student in the "Jigsaw" group serves as a piece of the topic's puzzle and when they work together as a whole, they create the complete jigsaw puzzle.

Benefits

It helps build comprehension.

It encourages cooperative learning among students.

It helps improve listening, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Students are directly engaged with the material

Students gain practice in self-teaching, which allows differentiation and students learn from different resources, at different pace.

Students gain practice in peer teaching, and have the chance to help one another.

Each student develops an expertise and has something important to contribute to the group

  • This is followed by a multiple-choice assessment on Quizziz, to assess key concepts.
  • Questions are direct with no hidden or tricky ideas.
  • Simple language is used to avoid confusion for students with different literacy levels.
  • Assessment is online to allow "looking up" meanings for English Language Learners.
  • Results are evaluated for remediation and re-teaching if needed.

Simplify by

Thank you!