Notes & FAQs

The development notes for this Target have to do with standards in Units 5 & 6.  

See the other information below instead.

This is likely one of the most important units in 8th grade covered in the first half of the school year that is foundational to future learning. The team admitted that oftentimes all school year is spent covering these targets and other major targets for the grade level are neglected and inevitably major unfinished learning can take place for students.  Remember that students have had experience with equations in seventh grade and will see them again in Algebra 1.  Students will also work with simple quadratic and cubic equations as well the Pythagorean Theorem and linear and non-linear functions in later units.  Even so, with one essential standard, there should be adequate time to explore linear equations in a single variable in depth.

The team would recommend that PLCs look for ways to collaborate around using the process of solving equations to reinforce, reengage, or practice some possible topics of unfinished learning from prior grades.

 Scaffold equations with algebra tiles rather than previous grade level work.  Two-step equations and one-step equations can be embedded within more complex equations, and a few examples can be sprinkled in as you go.  Context can be another scaffold as students can often solve a two-step equation without any instruction if the context is familiar.  You can also use the supporting standard of 8.G.5 regarding angles to work with these more simplistic equations: angle sum & exterior angle of triangles, angles created when parallel lines are cut by a transversal, and the angle-angle criterion for similarity of triangles.. 

The team spent time sharing how some of the sites decided to formally skip chapter 1 in the Big Ideas textbook and dive directly into chapter 3 with the application of solving equations with a purpose.  "Teaching backwards" starting with application problems first provides student with context to help understand the procedures done on "naked math."