Introducing equations

A complete lesson designed to introduce the concept of an equation.
Touches on different equation types but doesn’t go into any solving methods. Instead, pupils use substitution to verify that numbers satisfy equations, and are therefore solutions. As such, the lesson does require pupils to be able to substitute into simple expressions.

Activities included:

Starter:
A set of questions to check that pupils can evaluate expressions

Main:

• Examples of ‘fill the blank’ statements represented as equations, and a definition of the words solve and solution.
• Examples and a worksheet on the theme of checking if solutions to equations are correct, by substituting.
• A few slides showing some variations of equations using carefully selected examples, including an equation with no solutions, an equation with infinite solutions, simultaneous equations and an identity.
• A sometimes, always never activity inspired by a similar one form the standards unit (but simplified so that no solving techniques are required).

I’d use the pupils’ work on this last task as a basis for a plenary, possibly pupils discussing each other’s work.

Printable worksheets and answers included.

Please review if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!