Teaching pack · Year 6 Algebraseegongsik /au
Unknowns in Number Sentences: a week of ready-to-teach maths
Five days of lessons for Year 6 Algebra. Print this pack and the week is prepared.
AC9M6A02
find unknown values in numerical equations involving brackets and combinations of arithmetic operations, using the properties of numbers and operations
Start here: five minutes to Monday
- Skim the week at a glance.
- Print the five days (plan + worksheet each).
- Cut out the card sheet once.
- Open the free interactive unit on your board.
- Teach from the plan.
On the board
On-screen pictures: “An equation balances”, “Inverse operations undo”, “Unknowns inside brackets”, “Order of operations”, “Find the missing number”.
seegongsik.com/au/y6/algebra/AC9M6A02
Aligned to Australian Curriculum V9 (AC9M6A02). Original material from seegongsik. Descriptors (c) ACARA, CC BY 4.0.
The week at a glance5 lessons
The week at a glance
One lesson a day. Run them in order where you can.
| Day | Lesson | Children learn and do | On screen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | An equation balances | Practise the idea with talk, board and worksheet | Board: An equation balances |
| 2 | Inverse operations undo | Practise the idea with talk, board and worksheet | Board: Inverse operations undo |
| 3 | Unknowns inside brackets | Practise the idea with talk, board and worksheet | Board: Unknowns inside brackets |
| 4 | Order of operations | Practise the idea with talk, board and worksheet | Board: Order of operations |
| 5 | Find the missing number | Practise the idea with talk, board and worksheet | Board: Find the missing number |
Materials
- This pack printed.
- Pencils and the board or projector.
- Optional counters or rulers if a day plan names them.
A note home
This week in maths we work on unknowns in number sentences. Ask: What did you practise today?
seegongsik.com/au/y6/algebra/AC9M6A02/pack
Day 1 · Teacher planDay 1 of 5
An equation balances
Children practise “An equation balances” with talk, the board picture, and a short worksheet. About 40 minutes.
We are learning to
- explain an equation balances in Year 6 words,
- use the board picture to check thinking,
- record an example on paper.
Success criteria
- I can show one example of today’s idea.
- I can say the idea in a short sentence.
You need
- interactive unit open on “An equation balances”,
- worksheet (next sheet), one per child,
Lesson flow (about 40 minutes)
| 5 min | Warm-up Ask: “What might help us today?” |
| 10 min | On the board Open “An equation balances”. Ask: “What changed on the screen?” |
| 15 min | Worksheet Children complete the day sheet. |
| 10 min | Share Ask: “In one sentence, what was today’s idea?” |
On the board
Leave “An equation balances” on screen for the main block.
seegongsik.com/au/y6/algebra/AC9M6A02
Watch for
- Skipping the board -- bring them back to the picture.
- Correct answer with no explanation -- ask how do you know?
Answers and look-fors
- Meeting the idea sounds like a clear sentence about an equation balances.
Day 1 · Worksheet
An equation balances
NameClassDate
Use the board picture. Show your thinking.
1. Draw or write one example from the board.
2. What is the main idea in your words?
3. Make a second example of your own.
I know I am right because
I can teach this idea to a partner:Yes □ No □
Day 2 · Teacher planDay 2 of 5
Inverse operations undo
Children practise “Inverse operations undo” with talk, the board picture, and a short worksheet. About 40 minutes.
We are learning to
- explain inverse operations undo in Year 6 words,
- use the board picture to check thinking,
- record an example on paper.
Success criteria
- I can show one example of today’s idea.
- I can say the idea in a short sentence.
You need
- interactive unit open on “Inverse operations undo”,
- worksheet (next sheet), one per child,
Lesson flow (about 40 minutes)
| 5 min | Warm-up Ask: “What might help us today?” |
| 10 min | On the board Open “Inverse operations undo”. Ask: “What changed on the screen?” |
| 15 min | Worksheet Children complete the day sheet. |
| 10 min | Share Ask: “In one sentence, what was today’s idea?” |
On the board
Leave “Inverse operations undo” on screen for the main block.
seegongsik.com/au/y6/algebra/AC9M6A02
Watch for
- Skipping the board -- bring them back to the picture.
- Correct answer with no explanation -- ask how do you know?
Answers and look-fors
- Meeting the idea sounds like a clear sentence about inverse operations undo.
Day 2 · Worksheet
Inverse operations undo
NameClassDate
Use the board picture. Show your thinking.
1. Draw or write one example from the board.
2. What is the main idea in your words?
3. Make a second example of your own.
I know I am right because
I can teach this idea to a partner:Yes □ No □
Day 3 · Teacher planDay 3 of 5
Unknowns inside brackets
Children practise “Unknowns inside brackets” with talk, the board picture, and a short worksheet. About 40 minutes.
We are learning to
- explain unknowns inside brackets in Year 6 words,
- use the board picture to check thinking,
- record an example on paper.
Success criteria
- I can show one example of today’s idea.
- I can say the idea in a short sentence.
You need
- interactive unit open on “Unknowns inside brackets”,
- worksheet (next sheet), one per child,
Lesson flow (about 40 minutes)
| 5 min | Warm-up Ask: “What might help us today?” |
| 10 min | On the board Open “Unknowns inside brackets”. Ask: “What changed on the screen?” |
| 15 min | Worksheet Children complete the day sheet. |
| 10 min | Share Ask: “In one sentence, what was today’s idea?” |
On the board
Leave “Unknowns inside brackets” on screen for the main block.
seegongsik.com/au/y6/algebra/AC9M6A02
Watch for
- Skipping the board -- bring them back to the picture.
- Correct answer with no explanation -- ask how do you know?
Answers and look-fors
- Meeting the idea sounds like a clear sentence about unknowns inside brackets.
Day 3 · Worksheet
Unknowns inside brackets
NameClassDate
Use the board picture. Show your thinking.
1. Draw or write one example from the board.
2. What is the main idea in your words?
3. Make a second example of your own.
I know I am right because
I can teach this idea to a partner:Yes □ No □
Day 4 · Teacher planDay 4 of 5
Order of operations
Children practise “Order of operations” with talk, the board picture, and a short worksheet. About 40 minutes.
We are learning to
- explain order of operations in Year 6 words,
- use the board picture to check thinking,
- record an example on paper.
Success criteria
- I can show one example of today’s idea.
- I can say the idea in a short sentence.
You need
- interactive unit open on “Order of operations”,
- worksheet (next sheet), one per child,
Lesson flow (about 40 minutes)
| 5 min | Warm-up Ask: “What might help us today?” |
| 10 min | On the board Open “Order of operations”. Ask: “What changed on the screen?” |
| 15 min | Worksheet Children complete the day sheet. |
| 10 min | Share Ask: “In one sentence, what was today’s idea?” |
On the board
Leave “Order of operations” on screen for the main block.
seegongsik.com/au/y6/algebra/AC9M6A02
Watch for
- Skipping the board -- bring them back to the picture.
- Correct answer with no explanation -- ask how do you know?
Answers and look-fors
- Meeting the idea sounds like a clear sentence about order of operations.
Day 4 · Worksheet
Order of operations
NameClassDate
Use the board picture. Show your thinking.
1. Draw or write one example from the board.
2. What is the main idea in your words?
3. Make a second example of your own.
I know I am right because
I can teach this idea to a partner:Yes □ No □
Day 5 · Teacher planDay 5 of 5
Find the missing number
Children practise “Find the missing number” with talk, the board picture, and a short worksheet. About 40 minutes.
We are learning to
- explain find the missing number in Year 6 words,
- use the board picture to check thinking,
- record an example on paper.
Success criteria
- I can show one example of today’s idea.
- I can say the idea in a short sentence.
You need
- interactive unit open on “Find the missing number”,
- worksheet (next sheet), one per child,
Lesson flow (about 40 minutes)
| 5 min | Warm-up Ask: “What might help us today?” |
| 10 min | On the board Open “Find the missing number”. Ask: “What changed on the screen?” |
| 15 min | Worksheet Children complete the day sheet. |
| 10 min | Share Ask: “In one sentence, what was today’s idea?” |
On the board
Leave “Find the missing number” on screen for the main block.
seegongsik.com/au/y6/algebra/AC9M6A02
Watch for
- Skipping the board -- bring them back to the picture.
- Correct answer with no explanation -- ask how do you know?
Answers and look-fors
- Meeting the idea sounds like a clear sentence about find the missing number.
Day 5 · Worksheet
Find the missing number
NameClassDate
Use the board picture. Show your thinking.
1. Draw or write one example from the board.
2. What is the main idea in your words?
3. Make a second example of your own.
I know I am right because
I can teach this idea to a partner:Yes □ No □
Cut-out cardsReuse all week
Talk cards for Unknowns in Number Sentences
Cut out. Hold up a card and give an example.
An equation balances
Give an example.
Inverse operations undo
Give an example.
Unknowns inside brackets
Give an example.
Order of operations
Give an example.
Find the missing number
Give an example.
Store in an envelope labelled AC9M6A02.
Mini-check · End of week
Show what you know: Unknowns in Number Sentences
NameClassDate
Work on your own. Use pictures or numbers.
1. Draw or write the big idea of this week.
2. Give one clear example.
3. Give a second different example.
4. What mistake should we watch for?
I can explain this idea to a partner:Yes □ No □
Mini-check · AnswersTeacher
Answers and look-fors
- Item 1 names the unit idea (unknowns in number sentences) in child words.
- Items 2-3: two different correct examples.
- Item 4: a real muddle for this topic.
Use day-plan look-fors across the week.