Algebra Readiness Made Easy Grade 6

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READ I N E S S

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Blocky Balance

Overview

Presented with clues about the relative weights of three different types of blocks in a

pan balance, students figure out which blocks will balance a new set of blocks..

Algebra

Understand that substituting one set of blocks with a second set of equal weight

preserves balance • Explore the concept of equality • Understand that multiply-

ing or dividing the number of objects on both sides of a two-pan balance by the same

number preserves balance • Replace unknowns with their values

Problem-Solving Strategies

Reason about proportional relationships • Reason deductively

Related Math Skills

Compute with whole numbers

Math Language

Balance • Substitute

Introducing the Problem Set

Make photocopies of “Solve the Problem: Blocky Balance” (page 44) and distribute

to students. Have students work in pairs, encouraging them to discuss strategies they

might use to solve the problem. You may want to walk around and listen in on some

of their discussions. After a few minutes, display the problem on the board (or on the

overhead if you made a transparency) and use the following questions to guide a

whole-class discussion on how to solve the problem:

Look at the first pan balance. What do the pans show? (4 spheres in one pan balancing

2 cylinders in the other pan) In the second pan balance, what do the pans show? (6

cylinders balancing 4 cubes)

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