Solving Two-Step Equations with Visual Representation of a Balance (Modeling)

I can't tell you how many times I have been asked by students "why" they are solving two-step equations by the procedure that we teach them (adding the opposite, and etc).  I decided to make a balance beam activity that shows "why" we add the opposite.

solving two-step equations

Students will be solving 4 problems on two-step equations using visual representation with a balance. 

solving two-step equations

They will need 4 coloring supplies (markers, colored pencils, or crayons). I like to use red for negatives, green for positives, brown for "x", and black to cancel out opposites.

solving two-step equations

There are 4 versions: (1) colored with boxes, (2) colored with no boxes, (3) black & white with boxes, and (4) black & white with no boxes. You can decide which version fits your classroom needs.

solving two-step equations

You can hang up on a bulletin board!

solving two-step equations

You can purchase my resource by clicking HERE.

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