Solving Equations Flowchart

Solving equations can be super frustrating for students. They'll try combining terms over the = sign, get confused with the order of the steps or not even know how to get started at all. 

I made this solving equations flowchart while teaching mainstream 11th grade Algebra 2 in Boston. Even in 11th grade some of my students were still struggling.

They'd keep making the same mistakes when solving equations and were getting really down about it. I needed to give them something that not only helped with equation solving but also with their self-esteem. 

solving equations flowchart

Instead of like terms, this flowchart first focuses on the + and - signs, which are visually much easier to find. From there, a series of questions guides students through the equation solving process, depending on which side of the = sign has variables. 

Even though this tool was originally meant for intervention, it has become the way I teach and re-teach equation solving because of how quickly it catches, even with my most struggling learners. 

Once my students can independently solve equations, their attitudes towards algebra start to improve. There's nothing better than witnessing a kid's confidence grow as he or she gets stronger in math! 

To keep that confidence going, I have a bunch of fun activities for solving equations in my tpt store. The one above is a 2-step solving equations pennant that is free by subscribing here. Students hang their finished work as math-themed classroom décor. 

This 2-step equations partner scavenger hunt gets students collaborating as they work on their own unique problems. Even though their problems are different, their answers are the same, which gives incentive for students to work together when stuck.  

And to meet the needs of digital classrooms, I've been working on some new digital math activities, like this 2-step equations digital math escape room. 

Over the last several months, I have converted many of my printable equations activities to also include digital versions. The above gif shows how the digital version of this solving equations mix-math activity works. The printable version is also included. 

See more solving equations activities

The solving equations flowchart can be found free here.