MTH1W Unit 3: Algebra and Code

How can letters, expressions, equations and code describe patterns and solve problems? Students meet algebra's history, from Egyptian heap problems to al-Khwarizmi, turn growing patterns into expressions, test equivalence with tiles, substitution and graphs, and simplify. They write, solve and check equations for real situations, including fractions and formulas, then use Python variables, parameters, functions, loops and if statements to solve equations and inequalities.

Assessment of learning: an Algebra Story and Plan Detective, a comparison of three membership plans with expressions, equations and a short program, with a rubric. A unit test with full solutions is also included.

Lessons

1. The Story of Algebra
2. Patterns to Expressions
3. Are They Equivalent?
4. Simplifying Expressions
5. Expressions in Context
6. Writing Equations
7. Solving Equations
8. Equations with Fractions and Formulas
9. Variables and Parameters in Code
10. Equations and Inequalities in Code
11. Algebra Problem Solving and Review

Plus a unit test class.

What you get

• A teacher lesson plan for every lesson: curriculum expectations, learning goals and success criteria, a timed sequence, differentiation, look-fors and worked answer keys
• Detailed slideshows (15 to 18 slides per lesson) with speaker notes on every slide: what to say, what to ask, what to look for and how long to spend, plus warm-ups, worked examples, guided practice, quick checks and answer-key slides
• Student handouts (usually two pages) and exit tickets, with every problem worked out in the answer key
• Editable Word and PowerPoint files, plus PDFs
• A unit overview, the summative task with a four-level Growing Success rubric, a unit test, and teacher solutions for both

Built for the 2021 Ontario Grade 9 Mathematics curriculum (MTH1W, de-streamed), and easy to adapt for any Grade 9 math class.