Algebra - Find a Rule (Two Step) - Planning

The Year 6 algebra lesson aims to teach students how to find a rule within a two-step function, expanding on their understanding of one-step functions. The lesson begins with a starter activity to refresh their memory on previous content. The class then moves on to explore two-step function machines, where students are encouraged to determine the order of operations and the resulting output from a given input. For instance, they might be asked to calculate the output when the input is 7 in a function machine that multiplies by 4 and then adds 6. Teachers introduce the concept of representing unknown inputs with letters, such as 'a' or 'x', and explain algebraic conventions such as omitting the multiplication symbol in expressions like 4a. Students then practice identifying patterns in the outputs of function machines and work backwards using inverse operations to find missing inputs.

Further activities involve simplifying two-step function machines into one-step machines by combining operations, and translating algebraic expressions into function machine format. In group work, students delve into reasoning tasks and share their strategies, while independent tasks on differentiated worksheets allow for practice in fluency and problem-solving. The lesson addresses key questions and common misconceptions, such as understanding that certain two-step functions can be condensed into a single step. The session concludes with a reflective 'Give me five' activity, prompting students to consider what they've learned, the skills they've used, and what they found challenging. Differentiated learning objectives cater to varying levels of proficiency, from working towards fluency with simpler numbers to achieving greater depth with more complex calculations and reasoning tasks.