The lesson can be used for large or small groups of students. It is primarily direct instruction, but involves students helping to create new problems. Students create and solve equations that demonstrate that an equal sign means both sides have the same quantity. Students create and solve equations that involve addition, subtraction and multiplication.
Students create and solve equations that involve missing addends and unknowns.
Teacher models and guides students in deriving and practicing goals of lesson. Teacher generates student response. Students generate and share ideas with teacher and class. Relationships of quantities in the form of mathematical expressions, equations, or inequalities. Students learn and understand that the two sides of an equation are equal, that the equal sign means that both sides of an equation must represent the same quantity, and are able to properly complete equations with missing addends.