Securing understanding of expressions and equations

I can manipulate a simple equation using a bar model.

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Year 7

Securing understanding of expressions and equations

I can manipulate a simple equation using a bar model.

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Share activities with pupils

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Lesson details

Key learning points

Calculations can be evaluated by following the standard order of operations for 4 operations.
Calculations including exponents and brackets can be evaluated following the standard order of operations.
A bar model can be used to represent an equation.
A bar model can be used to find unknowns in a simple equation.

Common misconception

Pupils think division has to be calculated before multiplication and addition before subtraction.

Show pupils different ways of working out the same calculation that gives the same answer.

Keywords

Equation - An equation is used to show that one number or calculation is equal to another.
Exponent - An exponent is a number positioned above and to the right of a base value. It indicates repeated multiplication.
Commutative - An operation is commutative if the values it is operating on can be written in either order without changing the calculation.

Be careful with language around priority of operations. Avoid saying 'do the brackets first' as this leads to misconception around expanding brackets. Give pupils time to explore methods that lead to the same answer.

Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).