Solving equations is a skill that has to be mastered for students to perform basic algebraic operations in later years. While it seems so logical to me, my students often struggled with what steps are to be taken first (+, -, x, ÷), even though it is just order of operations…in reverse.

A few years ago, I started using “Equation Estates” to teach this, and the confusion no longer exists. We even had a little fun along the way! I teach JH, and they can TOTALLY relate to this set up!

The basic concept is that you live in an “Equal” neighborhood, however, the numbers and the letters do not get along, and they live on opposite sides of the street, Equal Ave. Basically if a number or letter (variable) is not on the correct side of the street, they have to move to the other side by performing the inverse operation. Now this is where it gets fun, I relate the situation to having company at their house. While I incorporate the mathematic terms (variable, distribution, inverse, etc), I tell a little story.

This file contains the editable interactive 7 slide self paced PowerPoint presentation (3 guided practice problems, and 3 or 4 independent practice ones for students to do before getting assignment), aligned HW/Class assignment, and solutions to all problems.


**NOTE** This file contains only the items for 1 step equations, I have also posted 2 step, CLT, Distribution, Multi-Step, and a BUNDLE of all these topics.

Key words: STAAR, TEKS, Common core, Special Education, Resource, equations, add, subtract, multiply, divide, inverse