I’ve been refining the way I teach equations in science for a while now, and think I’ve found a way that is reaping good results. The key principles are as follows:

No matter what the content or equation, I always get pupils to follow one method. It works for every equation in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Drill pupils on equations, symbols for each variable and units.

Always interleave equations during practice to ensure pupils have the opportunity to select the right equation.

Model how to think, lay out the working and check the answer using a visualiser.

Pupils learn only one version of a formula (and NO formula triangles).

Method

Here are the steps:

Box the value to be calculated & underline given values List all values with units Write equation which unites values Check units – convert if necessary Substitue Combine number if possible, then rearrange Calculate final answer & write units

Here is what this looks like in practice:

The rationale (written from the perspective of a model-thinking pupil):

Boxing the unknown value makes the objective of the calculation clear to me: the purpose of this calculation is to work out what the value of this boxed variable is. Underlining all the known values ensures that I read the question properly and capture all of the information. I then list all of the values using the letter that represents each variable. I will write the number and units for all given values, put a question mark next to the letter of the variable that I am trying to find out the value of. I have all of the information I need to succeed in this calculation now. I now look at all of my variables and think to myself: which formula do I know that uses these variables? I am hoping there is a formula which includes the unknown variable (‘?’) and at least some of the others have a value. I write this formula down. I know that every formula will only work if each variable has the correct units. So I will check my list of values, and convert any units that do not match the units that suit the formula. I will re-write the formula underneath the first, but this time I will substitute any letters for numbers. For the unknown variable, I will keep the letter that is in the formula. I will get one mark for correct substitution. Having substituted, if there is more than one number on one side of the equation, I can combine these. This normally leaves three values (two known, one unknown), which I can easily re-arrange, to make the unknown the subject. I calculate the answer and make sure I write the units (checking against the formula).

Pedagogy Rooted in Cognitive Science

Drill

Pupils lay their working out in exactly the same way for all equation calculations. This consistency helps them to automate the process and free up their working memory to focus on the specifics of the problem at hand. I continuously drill pupils on the formula, the symbols for each variable and the units to ensure these facts transfer into their long-term memory. This means most of the steps discussed above are simple acts of retrieval.

I only get my pupils to remember one version of a formula. This is because, firstly I do not want pupils to rely on formula triangles – I want them to be able to re-arrange. Besides, my method means re-arranging will only ever include three variables, one of which is unknown, and all pupils are capable of doing this. Secondly, the exam (certainly AQA) award a mark for correct substitution. Pupils are far more likely to substitute correctly into one formula than to risk re-arranging the formula incorrectly and losing all hope for any marks subsequently.

Interleaving

Once I have taught a few equations, with limited amounts of practice, I stop giving practice questions which require pupils to use the same equation. This is because pupils fall into habits mindlessly answering questions, since they can copy the format of the question that have answered previously. Instead, I vary the type of equation they must use. This has two benefits. First, it stops pupils answering questions mindlessly. Secondly, it provides them with the opportunity to practice selecting the correct equation, in addition to actually performing the calculation. This is the aspect of practice that most pupils who are proficient at the fundamentals in maths require. Therefore this aspect requires deliberate practice.

Modelling

For every new equation, I model for pupils exactly how to approach the question using the seven step method using a visualiser (live video which projects onto the board). I think out loud. I write in A4 lined paper for pupils to copy down and follow exactly how they should lay their working out. I make every step very explicit. After the first example, I ask pupils to do the next one on their own, and then model it again on the visualuser, this time, asking random samples of students to tell me what to do and why.

I then proceed to model a more complex example such as one where they are required to convert units, or one where rearranging is necessary. This builds up their confidence, but also prevents their working memories from becoming overloaded. If I expect them to attempt a calculation which requires unit conversion, re-arrangement, a standard form answer to a certain number of significant figures all in one go – they will be over-burdened.

Deliberate practice is all about breaking down a complex skill such as solving equations, into constituent steps, which are then practiced individually.

Before teaching this seven step method, I will make sure my pupils understand and practice substitution, units and unit conversions, standard form, significant figures etc. All separately, as necessary. Lots of this will not require much time since they will have covered it in maths (our science department is in talks with maths about when concepts are introduced). But never assume this!

Pitfalls

Pupils might not actually read the question in its entirety – rather they may just box the thing they are trying to find out, and then underline any number they see. This might mean pupils do a calculation without actually thinking about the context of the question. This might get them all the marks for most questions, but it is important for conceptual understanding that I model the thinking behind the calculation and remind pupils to do the same. If not, pupils might miss important clues about what the variable actually is. For example, I once wrote a question which said: ‘2 x 104 Joules is required to heat one kilogram of lead by 1oC. 12000 g of lead was heated by 4 oC. How much energy was required? Give your answer in standard form, including units.’ This stumped lots of pupils because they failed to recognise that the first value was not change in energy, but rather, specific heat capacity.

If a question has more variables than required in a formula, will pupils confidently pick the right formula? Practice of these types of questions can help overcome this pitfall.

Hope this quick guide to how I teach equations was useful – please comment/critique as this will help us all!