Lesson Plan
Equation Station Project
Students will be able to define literal equations, understand their importance in real-world contexts, and successfully rearrange literal equations to solve for a specified variable.
Understanding literal equations is crucial because it teaches you how to manipulate formulas used in everyday life, from calculating speed to figuring out interest rates. This skill will empower you to solve a wide range of problems in science, finance, and beyond.
Audience
9th Grade
Time
90 minutes
Approach
Project-based learning and guided practice.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Equation Station Slide Deck, Markers/pens, Equation Station Project Guide, and Equation Station Project Rubric
Prep
Teacher Preparation
20 minutes
- Review the Equation Station Slide Deck for content and flow.
- Print copies of the Equation Station Project Guide (one per student or group).
- Print copies of the Equation Station Project Rubric (one per student or group, or for teacher use).
- Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready for use.
- Gather markers or pens.
Step 1
Warm-Up & Introduction (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Begin with a quick interactive question: 'Imagine you have a formula like D = RT (Distance = Rate x Time). What if you know the Distance and the Time, but you want to find the Rate? How could you change the formula?'
- Use the first few slides of the Equation Station Slide Deck to introduce literal equations, explaining what they are and why they are important in various real-world scenarios. Engage students with relatable examples.
- Discuss the project overview from the Equation Station Project Guide.
Step 2
Guided Practice & Examples (20 minutes)
20 minutes
- Work through several examples of literal equations together as a class using the Equation Station Slide Deck.
- Focus on different types of formulas (e.g., area, perimeter, simple interest, physics formulas) and demonstrate step-by-step how to isolate different variables.
- Encourage student participation by asking them to guide the steps or predict the next move.
- Address common misconceptions and answer questions.
Step 3
Project Work Session (45 minutes)
45 minutes
- Distribute the Equation Station Project Guide.
- Explain that students will work individually or in small groups (teacher's discretion) to complete the 'Equation Station Project'.
- Circulate around the classroom, providing support, answering questions, and facilitating discussions.
- Remind students to refer to the Equation Station Project Rubric to understand the grading criteria.
- Students will choose 3 real-world formulas and demonstrate how to rearrange them for different variables, explaining the purpose and steps involved.
Step 4
Wrap-Up & Reflection (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Have a few students or groups share one of the literal equations they chose and how they rearranged it.
- Briefly review the key concepts of literal equations and their real-world relevance.
- Assign any unfinished project work as homework.
Slide Deck
Welcome to the Equation Station!
What are Literal Equations?
- Equations with more than one variable.
- They represent formulas we use in real life!
Why do we care?
- Solve for different parts of a formula.
- Essential in science, engineering, finance, and everyday problem-solving!
Introduce the idea of formulas students already know and how sometimes we need to change them around. Use the D=RT example mentioned in the lesson plan.
Rearranging the Train Tracks: Isolating Variables
The Goal:
- Get one specific variable all by itself on one side of the equation.
The Rules:
- Use inverse operations.
- What you do to one side, you must do to the other!
- Treat other variables like numbers (for now!).
Explain the goal: to isolate a specific variable. Emphasize that the rules of algebra still apply. Work through a simple example like A=lw and solving for l.
Example 1: Temperature Conversion
Formula: F = (9/5)C + 32
### Your Challenge:
- How can we rearrange this formula to solve for C (Celsius)?
- What are the steps?
Guide students through an example like converting Fahrenheit to Celsius (or vice versa). Ask them to identify the variable they need to isolate and what operations they would use.
Example 2: Simple Interest
Formula: I = PRT
### Your Challenge:
- How can we rearrange this formula to solve for R (Rate)?
- Think about the operations involved.
Work through another example. Perhaps a simple interest formula (I=PRT) and solve for P or R. Ask for student input at each step.
Your Mission: Equation Station Project!
Choose Your Formulas:
- Select 3 real-world formulas that are interesting to you.
Rearrange & Explain:
- For each formula, choose a variable to isolate.
- Show your steps clearly.
- Explain the real-world meaning of the original and rearranged formula.
Presentation:
- Create a visual representation (poster, digital, etc.).
Let's get started! Refer to your Equation Station Project Guide!
Introduce the project. Briefly go over the instructions and the expectation. Encourage creativity in choosing real-world formulas.
Project Guide
Equation Station Project Guide
Your Mission: Become an Equation Engineer!
In this project, you will demonstrate your understanding of literal equations by selecting real-world formulas, rearranging them, and explaining their practical applications. Think of yourself as an engineer who needs to adapt existing tools (formulas) for new purposes!
Project Steps:
Step 1: Choose Your Formulas (15 points)
- Select three (3) different real-world formulas. These could be from science (physics, chemistry), math (geometry, algebra), finance, health, or even everyday life (e.g., calculating miles per gallon, cooking conversions).
- List the original formula and briefly explain what each variable in the formula represents.
- Examples: Area of a rectangle (A=lw), Distance-Rate-Time (D=RT), Fahrenheit to Celsius (F = (9/5)C + 32), Simple Interest (I=PRT), etc.
Step 2: Rearrange the Equations (45 points)
- For each of your three chosen formulas, select one variable to isolate.
- Show all the algebraic steps required to rearrange the original formula to solve for your chosen variable.
- Clearly label each step of your work.
Step 3: Explain the Real-World Purpose (30 points)
- For each of your three rearranged formulas, explain in your own words what the new formula allows you to calculate.
- Provide a brief real-world scenario where someone would use your original formula and then your rearranged formula.
Step 4: Create Your "Equation Station" (10 points)
- Organize your work clearly and creatively. This could be:
- A digital presentation (e.g., Google Slides, Canva)
- A physical poster board
- A well-organized document with clear headings and formatting
- Ensure all parts of the project guide are addressed.
- Make it easy to read and visually appealing.
Important Dates:
- Project Due Date: [Insert Date Here]
Resources:
- Refer to your class notes and the Equation Station Slide Deck.
- Your Equation Station Project Rubric will help you understand how you will be graded. Make sure to review it!
Rubric
Equation Station Project Rubric
| Category | 4 - Exceeds Expectations | 3 - Meets Expectations | 2 - Approaching Expectations | 1 - Beginning Expectations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formula Selection (15 points) | Selected 3 unique and relevant real-world formulas. Clearly identified all variables for each. | Selected 3 relevant real-world formulas. Identified most variables correctly. | Selected 2-3 formulas, but some were not clearly real-world or variables were unclear. | Selected fewer than 2 formulas, or formulas were inappropriate/variables unclear. |
| Equation Rearranging (45 points) | Successfully rearranged all 3 equations, showing clear, accurate, and logical steps to isolate the chosen variable. No algebraic errors. | Successfully rearranged all 3 equations, showing mostly clear and accurate steps. Minor algebraic errors present in 1 equation. | Attempted to rearrange all 3 equations, but with significant algebraic errors or unclear steps in 1-2 equations. | Failed to rearrange equations correctly, or steps were missing/confusing for most equations. |
| Explanation of Purpose (30 points) | Clearly and accurately explained the real-world purpose of both the original and rearranged formulas for all 3 equations. Provided detailed, relevant scenarios. | Accurately explained the purpose of the original and rearranged formulas for all 3 equations. Scenarios were relevant but could be more detailed. | Explained the purpose for 2-3 equations, but explanations were somewhat vague or scenarios were not entirely clear/relevant. | Explanations were minimal, inaccurate, or missing for most equations. Scenarios were unclear or absent. |
| Presentation / Organization (10 points) | Project is exceptionally well-organized, visually appealing, and all components are clearly presented and easy to understand. Creative elements enhance understanding. | Project is well-organized and easy to understand. All components are present and readable. | Project has some organizational issues or is somewhat difficult to read/follow. Minor components may be missing. | Project is disorganized, difficult to read, or many components are missing. |
Total Points: /100