Teacher Script & Notes
What to say / Spoken Script
Let's solve the equation $2x + 3 = 11$. This means we have two unknown boxes $x$ and 3 single blocks on the left, balancing with 11 blocks on the right. To find the value of $x$, we must isolate it step-by-step.
What to do / Action Guide
Display the scale with $2x + 3$ on the left and 11 on the right.
Pedagogical Tips
Always ask: 'What operations are currently attached to our variable $x$?'
What to say / Spoken Script
To undo the $+3$, we perform the opposite operation: we subtract 3. But to keep the scale balanced, we must do this to both sides! Subtracting 3 leaves $2x$ on the left and 8 on the right.
What to do / Action Guide
Show 3 weights fading away from both sides of the balance scale.
Pedagogical Tips
Remind students: 'Whatever you do to one side of the equation, you must do to the other.'
What to say / Spoken Script
Now we have $2x = 8$. To isolate $x$, we divide by 2 on both sides. This splits the two boxes and the 8 blocks into two equal groups. One single box $x$ balances with exactly 4 blocks. Our solution is $x = 4$!
What to do / Action Guide
Display the final solution scale showing 1 box $x$ balancing with 4 units.
Pedagogical Tips
Encourage students to substitute $x = 4$ back into the original equation ($2(4) + 3 = 11$) to verify.
Step 1: Introduction
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