Year 8 Whole Project
Expressions and Equations Unit
VELS Progression Points covered
Number
4.75 - Students use variables in general mathematical statements. They substitute numbers for
variables (for example, in equations, inequalities, identities and formulas).
Structure
4.5 - solution of simple linear equations using tables, graphs and inverse operations
(backtracking)
4.5 - translation from verbal description to algebraic representation, and of the structure of
algebraic expressions; for example, if $500 is shared between n people, each receives 500/n
4.5 - translation between symbolic rules, patterns and tables for linear functions
4.75 - *solution of equations such as x² = 17 as required in measurement situations; for example,
using Pythagoras theorem
5.0 - Students apply the commutative, associative, and distributive properties in mental and
written computation
Working Mathematically
4.25 - translation between verbal descriptions and algebraic rules
4.5 - development of simple geometric and algebraic models for real situations
Main Focus
Introduction to equations
The concept of an
equation as a missing
number problem
Activity description
Discussion about Algebra
in primary school
Solving missing number
problems
Solving basic linear
equations by inspection
Resources
Introductory activity
Chinese Whispers
Introductory discussion
Powerpoint
Introducing Equations
Solving by Inspection
flashcard matching game
Review lesson
expressions vs equations
Review of expressions
( a topic done previously )
algebra rules/conventions
substitution into
expressions
Review lesson
formulae and tables with a
rule
collecting like terms
multiplying and dividing
terms
Collecting like terms
Race to 5x+5y activity
Expressions Activity
Form a Square
Maths 300 activity
Algebra Charts
Performing arithmetic
operations in a sequence
( numerical flowcharting )
Building up flowcharts
with positive numbers and
integers
Introducing missing
number problems through
incomplete flowcharts
Building expressions
( algebraic flowcharting )
Using flowcharts to
successively build up an
expression
Worksheet
Following a flowchart
Powerpoint
Flowcharting
Worksheet or text
Building Expressions
Powerpoint
Building Expressions
Related diversion activity
Algebraic Diversion 1
Backtracking to solve a
linear equation
Graded examples showing
how to solve one, two three
step and higher order
linear equations by
backtracking
Lesson outline
Backtracking
Powerpoint
Backtracking
Activity
Algebra Diversion 2
Solving equations using
inverse processing
I, 2, 3 step equations
Lesson outline
One Step Equations
Bracket problems –solve
with and w/o expanding
brackets
Lesson outline
2,3,4 step equations
Powerpoint
Inverse Processing
Lesson outline
Bracket problems
Applying algebra
assessments
Applications include these
skills:
building expressions
tabulating data
generating a rule
solving equations
sketching a graph
interpolating
extrapolating
interpreting a graph
predicting
Application 1
Garden Paving
Application 2
Taxi Fare Problem