Becka Knight & Sharon Hooper
4th Grade
Jefferson Academy
Jefferson City Schools

Contents

Task GPS Addressed Video Classroom Materials

Task

Overview In this task, students will find an unknown quantity, explore the relationship between quantities, and enhance their understanding of the equal sign as equivalence and a balance point. Illustrative Task Adapted from “Coming to Know Number,” Wheatley & Reynolds, Mathematics Learning, 1999. Use symbols for the unknown weights to write a number sentence that represents the balanced scale. Then, find the missing weights. a. b. c. d. Note: Objects that have the same size and shape also have the same weight Use symbols for the unknown weights to write a number sentence that represents the balanced scale. Then, describe the relationship between one cylinder and one rectangular solid. a. b.

GPS Addressed

M4A1. Students will represent and interpret mathematical relationships in quantitative expressions. b.  Represent unknowns using symbols, such as □ and Δ. c.  Write and evaluate mathematical expressions using symbols and different values.

Video Information

Use these questions to guide your thinking about some of the important teacher ideas in the lesson featured in the video clip. What kinds of questions does the teacher ask to promote students’ problem solving? How is the teacher gauging students’ current understandings and building from those understandings? Consider the GPS standards listed with this video. What makes this lesson different from lessons you have taught on this topic?

Classroom Materials

Lesson Plan Try this Task Illuminations Balance Scale with Numbers - Student Recording Sheet Balance Activity Directions Balance Scales Easy - Student Recording Sheet Balance Scales Moderate - Student Recording Sheet Balance Scales Challenge - Student Recording Sheet Balance Scale Algebra - Student Recording Sheet