Unit 2: Solving Equations & Angles

The big idea for this unit is solving linear equations in one variable.  Depth, context and application can be created by embedding the supporting idea of angle congruence (8.G.5).  In order to achieve procedural proficiency with equations that require dealing with rational coefficients, collecting like terms and expanding the distributive property, care should be taken to develop conceptual understanding of each and build procedural fluency from it.  Context, visuals, and algebra tiles are among some of the tools to help students achieve this goal.  Likewise, students will experience equations with no solution or infinitely many solutions for the first time in addition to those with a single solution.  They will have to understand what these new possibilities mean and why they happen rather than simply looking for some clue like x=a, a=a or a=b (where a & b are different numbers).

The big idea of this unit is solving multi step linear equations in one variable with rational coefficients.  Instruction need not start with one or two step equations as they are embedded; context & manipulatives are the scaffold.  Review of expressions & integers is embedded in equations when using  algebra tiles & zero pairs.  Linear systems can be explored algebraically & conceptually for greater depth by using context & algebra tiles.  Graphing systems is in Unit 5.