Make predictions about the weight of objects
Build a working balance
Test predictions using the balance
-
WATCHMATERIALS
Balance Tower Kit
Balance Cups Kit
Building Guide
Objects Bag
Objects Mat
PRINT: Pre-Assessment [answer key]
PRINT: Exit Ticket
-
Explore weight relationships
Write “balance equations”
Solve balance challenges
-
WATCHMATERIALS
Balance Tower
Objects Bag
Green Cubes
Challenge Cards
Weight Relationships Challenge Mat
PRINT: Weight Relationships Sheet
PRINT: Exit Ticket
-
Play In Balance
Use equations to make predictions
-
WATCHMATERIALS
Balance Tower
Objects Bag
Green Cubes
PRINT: Weight Recording Sheet
PRINT: In Balance scorecard
PRINT: Exit Ticket
-
Use symbols to represent objects in an equation
Solve puzzles with systems of equations
-
-
Balance Puzzle sheets:
Use Cups and Cubes to create “physical equations”
Set up equations on a mat
Use Trial & Error to solve equations
Use physical equations to represent algebraic equations
Play Double Take
Use Trial & Error to solve algebraic equations
Use physical equations to represent and solve equations that involve adding negative numbers
Learn to solve 2-step equations by isolating the variable on one side of the equation.
Play ZERO OUT and practice using zero pairs to remove constants and isolate a variable.
Use balanced moves combined with
zero pairs to solve an equation.
Apply the distributive property to solve equations.
Translate the Cups & Cubes model into pencil-and-paper equation solving.
-
WATCHMATERIALS
Equations Mat
Cups and Cubes
Equation Practice Cards
PRINT: Graphic Organizer
PRINT: Exit Ticket
-
Solve more complex equations
using pencil and paper.
-
WATCHMATERIALS
PRINT: Practice Sheet (coming soon)
PRINT: Exit Ticket (coming soon)
-
No printing required
Play an equations game to close out Balance Lab.
-
WATCH
MATERIALS
Card X mats (2 per game; one appears on the back of the ZERO OUT mat)
Card X gameboard (1 per game)
Card X cards (green and black)
PRINT: Post-Assessment [answer key]
PRINT: Exit Ticket
-