Sharing Teaching Ideas: Linear Equations: High School Algebra 1

Abstract

Teaching linear equations is an important part of algebra 1—and the topic involves so much information that students can become overwhelmed and frustrated with the sheer volume of notes, formulas, and other “stuff” to remember. Algebra 1 students, like students in any entry-level course, need help organizing notes, discriminating important information, and finding a way to remember formulas, calculator steps, and relationships. Teachers new to teaching entry-level courses frequently assume that special education students need more concrete learning experiences or that English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL, or limited English) students have more vocabulary needs. These assumptions are often correct, but I have discovered that most high school algebra 1 students have the very same needs. Many have not been successful in previous mathematics classes, and few know how to pick out important concepts and relate them to other ideas. To help students keep track of the information needed in studying lines, we make a flip chart that the student can keep and use throughout the year, as well as in succeeding years.