Mathematics - Junior Secondary 1 - Simple equations

Simple equations

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TERM: 3RD TERM

WEEK 1

Class: Junior Secondary School 1
Age: 12 years
Duration: 40 minutes of 5 periods
Subject: Mathematics
Topic: Simple Equations
Focus: Translation of Word Problem into Equation and Solving Simple Equations
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

  1. Translate word problems into algebraic equations.
  2. Use a balance or seesaw to demonstrate the principles of equality.
  3. Solve simple equations.

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES:

  • Question and answer
  • Guided demonstration
  • Discussion
  • Drills and exercises
  • Real-life application

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:

  • Balance (seesaw)
  • Flashcards with equations
  • Whiteboard and marker
  • Worksheets

 

PERIOD 1 & 2: Translation of Word Problem into Equation

PRESENTATION:

Step

Teacher’s Activity

Pupil’s Activity

Step 1 - Introduction

Explains the concept of simple equations and their real-life applications (e.g., sharing money, dividing goods).

Pupils listen and ask questions.

Step 2 - Explanation

Introduces how to translate word problems into equations. Uses examples: "A number increased by 5 is 12."

Pupils repeat the translation process and practice with guided examples.

Step 3 - Demonstration

Uses balance to show equality in equations, demonstrating that both sides of the equation must be equal.

Pupils observe and ask questions.

Step 4 - Note Taking

Writes the examples on the board:

  
  • Example: "A number increased by 5 is 12." → x + 5 = 12. | Pupils copy the examples and notes. |

NOTE ON BOARD:

  • Equation: x + 5 = 12
  • Translation: "A number (x) increased by 5 is 12."

EVALUATION (5 exercises):

  1. Translate the following into an equation: "A number decreased by 7 is 10."
  2. Solve the equation: x + 4 = 9.
  3. Translate and solve: "A number doubled is 18."
  4. Solve the equation: 3x = 15.
  5. Translate and solve: "A number divided by 2 is 5."

CLASSWORK (5 questions):
Translate into equations and solve:

  1. "A number increased by 3 is 8."
  2. "The difference of a number and 4 is 7."
  3. "A number divided by 3 is 6."
  4. "A number multiplied by 5 equals 30."
  5. "A number decreased by 10 is 15."

ASSIGNMENT (5 tasks):

  1. Translate the following word problems into equations:
    • "A number added to 6 gives 14."
    • "Twice a number is 20."
  2. Solve for x: x + 3 = 10
  3. Solve for x: 2x - 4 = 12
  4. Translate and solve: "A number divided by 4 is 6."
  5. Create your own word problem and solve it.

 

PERIOD 3 & 4: Using a Balance or Seesaw to Demonstrate Equality

PRESENTATION:

Step

Teacher’s Activity

Pupil’s Activity

Step 1 - Introduction

Introduces the balance or seesaw as a tool to demonstrate equality. Explains that the balance must be equal on both sides for the equation to be true.

Pupils listen and ask questions.

Step 2 - Explanation

Demonstrates using a balance to show that if x + 5 = 12, then x must balance the scale with the number 7.

Pupils observe and discuss.

Step 3 - Demonstration

Teacher places different weights on the balance to visually show how equations work, using objects to represent terms.

Pupils solve similar problems with guidance.

Step 4 - Practice

Pupils use balance (seesaw) to solve simple equations with teacher’s assistance.

Pupils participate in hands-on exercises.

NOTE ON BOARD:

  • Equation: x + 5 = 12 → x = 7
  • Balancing Principle: Both sides of the equation must be equal.

EVALUATION (5 exercises):

  1. Use a balance to solve: x + 3 = 8.
  2. Use the balance to solve: 2x = 10.
  3. Show that x - 2 = 5 using the seesaw.
  4. Solve using the balance: x / 3 = 4.
  5. Show how to solve: 5x = 20.

CLASSWORK (5 questions):

  1. Use a balance to solve: x + 2 = 9.
  2. Solve for x using the balance: x - 4 = 6.
  3. Use a seesaw to solve: 3x = 12.
  4. Solve for x using a balance: x / 2 = 3.
  5. Solve the equation using a balance: x + 7 = 13.

ASSIGNMENT (5 tasks):

  1. Solve the following using a balance: x + 6 = 15.
  2. Solve for x: 3x = 18 using a seesaw.
  3. Use the balance to solve: x - 3 = 10.
  4. Solve the equation: 4x = 32 using the seesaw.
  5. Create an equation and solve it using the balance.

PERIOD 5: Solution of Simple Equations

PRESENTATION:

Step

Teacher’s Activity

Pupil’s Activity

Step 1 - Introduction

Reviews previous lessons and introduces solving simple equations without using objects (i.e., purely algebraic methods).

Pupils answer questions and engage.

Step 2 - Explanation

Demonstrates solving equations like x + 7 = 12 by isolating x.

Pupils observe and ask questions.

Step 3 - Practice

Teacher solves equations on the board and invites pupils to solve similar problems.

Pupils solve equations on their own.

Step 4 - Practice

Provides practice problems for pupils to solve independently.

Pupils complete the exercises individually.

NOTE ON BOARD:

  • Equation: x + 7 = 12 → x = 12 - 7 = 5
  • Equation: 3x = 15 → x = 15 / 3 = 5

EVALUATION (5 exercises):

  1. Solve: x + 9 = 16
  2. Solve: 2x = 10
  3. Solve: x - 5 = 10
  4. Solve: 3x = 21
  5. Solve: x / 4 = 6

CLASSWORK (5 questions):

  1. Solve for x: x + 5 = 12
  2. Solve for x: 4x = 16
  3. Solve: x - 3 = 9
  4. Solve for x: 2x = 8
  5. Solve for x: x / 5 = 4

ASSIGNMENT (5 tasks):

  1. Solve for x: x + 6 = 13
  2. Solve: 2x = 14
  3. Solve for x: x - 8 = 6
  4. Solve: 5x = 25

Create your own equation and solve it.