Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

About this resource

Teaching solving equations with variables on both sides and need pages students can actually work on? This is a complete unit for Algebra 1 and grade 8, laid out with real room to show steps. It starts with a five-step chart and two worked examples, each with a guided copy where students fill in the blanks. Then come five graded practice sets (whole numbers, negatives, parentheses, fractions and a mix), pages on telling one solution from no solution from infinitely many solutions, check-my-work substitution, two pages of invented student work with a mistake to find, word problems, exit tickets and three cut-and-paste sorts. Answer keys show the value both sides share, so a student's check line is easy to read at a glance.

EVERYTHING INSIDE (40 pages)

• 24 student pages in 13 page types, each with a name line and one short instruction
• 90 scored items on 18 pages, every answer computed by program from the same equations that print on the page
• 1 five-step chart and 2 worked examples (one with parentheses), each with a guided copy for students to fill in
• 1 page on the three kinds of answers: one solution, no solution, infinitely many solutions
• 6 First Move items: say what to add or subtract, then write the new equation
• 30 practice equations in 5 sets of 6, each with a ruled work box and a check line
• 12 How Many Solutions? equations on 3 pages, with check boxes for one, none or infinitely many
• 7 Check My Work items: put a number in on both sides and decide if it is a solution
• 8 Find the Mistake problems on 2 pages (an invented student's work, one mistake each)
• 3 word problems where students write the equation, then solve; 1 Make Your Own page
• 6 exit tickets on 2 pages; 1 self check (8 statements)
• 18 cut-and-paste pieces on 3 sort mats (6 pieces into 3 boxes, 6 into 6 boxes, 6 steps into order)
• 3 answer keys; 1 tracker, 1 class grid, 1 team note, 1 family page
• 1 filled example (an invented student), 1 phrase bank (17 starters in 6 groups), 1 binder cover and 6 divider tabs with a spine label to cut out
• Start Here and a how-to-read-a-page page

Built For The Student Holding The Page

A "My name" line, one short instruction with a small picture cue, and a plain scalloped border. Nothing on a student page is written for an adult: the keys and records are on separate teacher pages. Work boxes hold about four lines of steps, with a check line on every practice problem. Clip art is kept to a lightbulb, a question mark and a pencil. The file prints clean in black and white.

Invented Examples

Every equation, story and student is made up for practice and says so. The filled example names an invented student.

Type In, Or Print

The name line, every answer box, every check box and every ruled work box are type-in fields in any PDF reader: click one, type, then save. This is a fillable PDF; it is not a Google Slides or PowerPoint file.

What This Is, And What It Is Not

An equations practice set with the record-keeping around it. It is not a timed test, a screener, a clinical tool, or a claim about any student's age or rate of progress. There is no IEP goal language or eligibility wording anywhere in the file.

If You Want More

Equations with Variables on Both Sides Probes | IEP Goal Data, Algebra; Distributive Property Progress Monitoring Probes | IEP Goal Data, Algebra; Evaluating Algebraic Expressions Worksheets | Error Analysis 6th 7th 8th Grade.