Teaching pack · Year 7 Algebraseegongsik /au
Variables and substituting into formulas: a week of ready-to-teach maths
Five days of lessons for Year 7 Algebra. Print this pack and the week is prepared.
AC9M7A01
recognise and use variables to represent everyday formulas algebraically and substitute values into formulas to determine an unknown
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: “A formula is a rule that processes inputs”, “Substitution replaces letters with known values”, “Everyday formulas, all from variables”, “Finding an unknown that is an input”, “A two-step everyday formula”.
seegongsik.com/au/y7/algebra/AC9M7A01
Aligned to Australian Curriculum V9 (AC9M7A01). 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 | A formula is a rule that processes inputs | Practise the idea with talk, board and worksheet | Board: A formula is a rule that processes inputs |
| 2 | Substitution replaces letters with known values | Practise the idea with talk, board and worksheet | Board: Substitution replaces letters with known values |
| 3 | Everyday formulas, all from variables | Practise the idea with talk, board and worksheet | Board: Everyday formulas, all from variables |
| 4 | Finding an unknown that is an input | Practise the idea with talk, board and worksheet | Board: Finding an unknown that is an input |
| 5 | A two-step everyday formula | Practise the idea with talk, board and worksheet | Board: A two-step everyday formula |
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 variables and substituting into formulas. Ask: What did you practise today?
seegongsik.com/au/y7/algebra/AC9M7A01/pack
Day 1 · Teacher planDay 1 of 5
A formula is a rule that processes inputs
Children practise “A formula is a rule that processes inputs” with talk, the board picture, and a short worksheet. About 40 minutes.
We are learning to
- explain a formula is a rule that processes inputs in Year 7 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 “A formula is a rule that processes inputs”,
- 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 “A formula is a rule that processes inputs”. 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 “A formula is a rule that processes inputs” on screen for the main block.
seegongsik.com/au/y7/algebra/AC9M7A01
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 a formula is a rule that processes inputs.
Day 1 · Worksheet
A formula is a rule that processes inputs
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
Substitution replaces letters with known values
Children practise “Substitution replaces letters with known values” with talk, the board picture, and a short worksheet. About 40 minutes.
We are learning to
- explain substitution replaces letters with known values in Year 7 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 “Substitution replaces letters with known values”,
- 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 “Substitution replaces letters with known values”. 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 “Substitution replaces letters with known values” on screen for the main block.
seegongsik.com/au/y7/algebra/AC9M7A01
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 substitution replaces letters with known values.
Day 2 · Worksheet
Substitution replaces letters with known values
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
Everyday formulas, all from variables
Children practise “Everyday formulas, all from variables” with talk, the board picture, and a short worksheet. About 40 minutes.
We are learning to
- explain everyday formulas, all from variables in Year 7 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 “Everyday formulas, all from variables”,
- 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 “Everyday formulas, all from variables”. 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 “Everyday formulas, all from variables” on screen for the main block.
seegongsik.com/au/y7/algebra/AC9M7A01
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 everyday formulas, all from variables.
Day 3 · Worksheet
Everyday formulas, all from variables
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
Finding an unknown that is an input
Children practise “Finding an unknown that is an input” with talk, the board picture, and a short worksheet. About 40 minutes.
We are learning to
- explain finding an unknown that is an input in Year 7 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 “Finding an unknown that is an input”,
- 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 “Finding an unknown that is an input”. 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 “Finding an unknown that is an input” on screen for the main block.
seegongsik.com/au/y7/algebra/AC9M7A01
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 finding an unknown that is an input.
Day 4 · Worksheet
Finding an unknown that is an input
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
A two-step everyday formula
Children practise “A two-step everyday formula” with talk, the board picture, and a short worksheet. About 40 minutes.
We are learning to
- explain a two-step everyday formula in Year 7 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 “A two-step everyday formula”,
- 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 “A two-step everyday formula”. 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 “A two-step everyday formula” on screen for the main block.
seegongsik.com/au/y7/algebra/AC9M7A01
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 a two-step everyday formula.
Day 5 · Worksheet
A two-step everyday formula
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 Variables and substituting into formulas
Cut out. Hold up a card and give an example.
A formula is a rule that processes inputs
Give an example.
Substitution replaces letters with known values
Give an example.
Everyday formulas, all from variables
Give an example.
Finding an unknown that is an input
Give an example.
A two-step everyday formula
Give an example.
Store in an envelope labelled AC9M7A01.
Mini-check · End of week
Show what you know: Variables and substituting into formulas
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 (variables and substituting into formulas) 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.