Using an equation like d = rt, create cards for each item, variable, equal sign and operators. On the back of the operator card, put the inverse operation (hopefully you will have had that lesson with your students already)
Choose a variable to solve for. I chose to solve for r. Remember, the back of the operator has it's inverse operation, so you would have this:
And finally:
So I thought, maybe this is too easy. So I tried it with converting Celcius to Farenheit.
For fractions, use reciprocals on the back:
You can create the cards in Word and print onto 3 x 5 notecards (somthing I just discovered!)
What about leaving the backs of the cards blank so that students have to write in the inverse operation or reciprocal themselves? That might be the next step to bridge to solving literal equations on paper.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing. Perhaps laminating them so that they can use a dry erase marker to write on them. Thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Thanks for sharing. I really find that when they are able to solve these literal equations it means that they truly are starting to grasp solving. At times I'm tempted to introduce these much sooner than I do!
ReplyDeleteThis is VERY similar to one of the Station Activities for Algebra I book - but what I *LOVE* is the inverse operation on the back!!! I've got a set of cards laminated and ready to go for this lesson - but plan to add this simple but AMAZING idea to the back of my operation cards!!! thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a great (and tactile) way to illustrate what is going on! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I was just thinking about how difficult literal equations are for students.
ReplyDeleteThe problem I see is that this doesn't reinforce the concept of balancing equations. I like the idea, what can we do to show that you're actually doing the inverse operation to both sides of the equation?
ReplyDeleteActivities like this one really show that the teacher has some imagination and talent. Thanks for the post, I am sure I will also be able to come up with similar activities for my students in order to make the lessons more entertaining. In the meantime I was just looking for military resume services review for my students to catch up with their writing skills’ development as well.
ReplyDelete