Therefore, important groundwork is developed when displaying an equation and labeling the left and right sides of the equation. Students should have a working knowledge of simplifying expressions using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Place an equal sign on the board. Students need to be able to recognize this symbol. Do not assume that all of your students understand that it identifies equivalent values.
Many student believe that the equal sign simply means to give the answer.
Ask your students to come up with several examples. Draw a vertical line through the equal sign. Describe what is on the left side of the dotted line. Try to have students describe the numbers as well as the operation. The goal is for students to notice that the value of the left side of the equation equals the value on the right side of the equation.