Digital Unit Plan

Unit Title: Algebra: How do I relate math to the world? Name: Vicky Burke

Content Area: Mathematics Grade Level: 9, Algebra 1

CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):

A.SSE.A.1 Interpret expressions that represent a quantity in terms of its context.

A.SSE.A.1.A Interpret parts of an expression, such as terms, factors, and coefficients.
A.SSE.A.1.B Interpret complicated expressions by viewing one or more of their parts as a single entity.
A.SSE.A.2 Use the structure of an expression to identify ways to rewrite it.
N.Q.A.2 Define appropriate quantities for the purpose of descriptive modeling.
MP.1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

Big Ideas/Unit Goals:

Essential Questions:
What are variables and expressions?
How to I translate real-life situations into mathematical expressions so I can be an effective problem solver?
How do you operate on mathematical expressions?
What is meant by equality?
How do you solve mathematical expressions that are equal?
What does it mean to think algebraically?
Is it different than thinking arithmetically?

Unit Summary:

In this unit students will discover how to transform real-life verbal expressions into related algebraic expressions. Students will recognize the
difference between a numeric expression and an algebraic expression, learn new algebraic terms, discover how to simplify expressions, and
learn the proper order to complete various operations. Students will explore numerous real-life situations where there are certain things we
know, and others that we would like to know. Students will be able to analyze and organize real-life information into a graphic organizer to
solve problems and to create a digital presentation for live classroom display.

Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level:
Prior Knowledge: Students begin the unit by
creating a knowledge ladder of the word
Algebra. Each letter in the word should be
used to describe the student’s own
perception of what Algebra means to them.
Student responses need not begin with the
first letter (example vAriables). The purpose
of the ladder is to get an idea of the student’s
already held beliefs about and understanding
of Algebra. Student ladders will be assessed
informally during student completion.
Video: If completion of the knowledge ladders
proves difficult for some students, consider
playing the video of Algebra Basics: What is
Algebra? to help these students build their
existing knowledge.
Lesson 1 (Teacher Lecture)
Student Learning Objective: Acceptable Evidence:
Students will be able to simplify - A passing score on the
expressions containing subtraction, Order of Operations Quiz
parentheses and powers, using the
proper Order of Operations with an
accuracy of 75% and higher by the
end of this lesson.
Formative: Summative:
Quiz: Students will be assessed with a short Presentation: Students will work in pairs to
online quiz on the Order of Operations. The produce a group presentation of real-world
assessment is written as a Google Form and a word problems. The assessment will be
student email address is required to submit scored by the following Presentation Rubric.
the quiz for teacher grading.
Exam: Students will complete a cumulative
Flashcards: Students will independently unit exam. The exam will assess student skill
assess their developing skills of Translating level and knowledge. Exam problems will be
Expressions into Algebra by studying the scored on a four-point scale.
online Quizlet flashcards.
Webercise: Students will complete an online
Webercise activity to facilitate the translation
of expressions into algebra and the order of
operations in real-life. The completed activity
will be collected and formally assessed for a
letter grade.
Graphic Organizer: Students will complete an
online graphic organizer to demonstrate
their knowledge and understanding of the
4-steps involved in problem-solving.
Students will be scored according to Polya’s
4-Step Graphic Organizer Rubric.
Lesson Activities:
Students will complete an online teacher lecture. The lecture includes
the exploration on the parts of expressions in mathematics, defines
key terms and includes both an interactive game on combining like-
terms and an instructional video on the Order of Operations. The
lecture is complete with Guided Notes and Guided Practice Problems.
Lesson 2 (Webercise)
Student Learning Objective:
Students will be able to translate
real-world situations into algebraic
expressions by independently and
accurately solving real-world
problems by the end of this lesson.
Lesson 3 (Graphic Organizer)
Student Learning Objective:
Students will know that
understanding is the key to solving
real-world problems and will be
able to demonstrate effective
problem-solving strategies using
Polya’s four steps by the end of this
lesson.
Unit Resources:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rojed0YYgfemfSQN_O2aMX75rLr_kvbs?usp=sharing
Useful Websites:
Acceptable Evidence:
- Completion of the Express
Yourself Webercise
Acceptable Evidence:
- A passing score on the
problem-solving
Presentation
Lesson Activities:
Students will complete an online Webercise with an accompanying
guide. The Webercise leads students through series of web-based
activities and written work. The students compete against their
classmates while completing matching games that connect written
expressions with algebraic expressions. Students write their own real-
life story to match an algebraic expression. Students read a how-to
article on writing expressions and play an interactive math translation
and solving game while looking for and recording key operators to use
when translating real-world problems into algebra. Students wrap up
the lesson by reading an article on bargain shopping with
accompanying real-life purchase decision.
Lesson Activities:
Students will watch a series of videos and read an article on problem-
solving. Students will work together to complete a four-step graphic
organizer. Each student will complete their own copy of the organizer.
Students will then work in pairs to create a group presentation
modeling real-world problems.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sx6vfHNp7udFYkZhhao63c0q9qwQZ4mF3bR9aXF5TZw