Equations and Function Machines – GCSE Maths Foundation Lesson

Function machines and solving equations. A complete, ready-to-teach 90-minute lesson – download it and teach it, no preparation needed. Written for GCSE Foundation and post-16 resit learners (grades 1–3 aiming for a 4).

By the end of the lesson learners can: use function machines and solve one- and two-step equations, including brackets.

THE LESSON IN 3 PARTS

• Part A: Function machines
• Part B: Solve equations
• Part C: Brackets, both sides

Key words: Function machine, Inverse, Equation, Solve

WHAT YOU GET (4 files)

• PowerPoint – fully editable, with teacher notes, timings and common errors on every slide
• Worksheet – Bronze (scaffolded, grade 2–3), Silver (grade 3–4) and Gold (exam-style, grade 4–5)
• Exit tickets – 3 per learner, print and cut
• Answers – full worked answers to every worksheet and exam question
• 38 worksheet questions across the three levels, plus 4 exam-style questions (1–3 marks, calculator and non-calculator)

HOW THE LESSON RUNS

1. Recall – 6 mini-whiteboard questions on earlier topics (click for working, click for answer)
2. Starter – 4 questions on exactly the skills this lesson needs
3. Objectives, key words and a one-slide fact sheet for exercise books
4. For each part of the lesson:
   • a step-by-step “How to” method slide
   • I do – worked examples that build click by click as a diagram, then a “Your Turn” question for learners to try
   • We do – one question worked through with the class
   • You do – 6 mini-whiteboard check questions; click any answer to open the full worked solution. The score out of 6 tells each learner where to start on the worksheet
   • a timed worksheet task slide with on-screen timer and click-to-reveal answers
5. 4 exam-style questions with a full walkthrough of each
6. Exit ticket with a confidence check, plus homework

WHY TEACHERS USE IT

• Less text, more visuals – every method is shown as a diagram (bar models, number lines, grids, labelled shapes)
• You control the pace – working and answers appear one click at a time
• Built-in differentiation – the mini-whiteboard score sends each learner to the right worksheet level
• All questions are original and exam-style; works for any GCSE Foundation specification
• The same routine every lesson, so learners know what to expect

Part of my complete GCSE Maths Foundation series (Algebra › Equations and Inequalities). Save by buying the Equations and Inequalities bundle or the Algebra unit bundle.