MAFS.6.EE.1.2Archived Standard

Write, read, and evaluate expressions in which letters stand for numbers.
  1. Write expressions that record operations with numbers and with letters standing for numbers. For example, express the calculation “Subtract y from 5” as 5 – y.
  2. Identify parts of an expression using mathematical terms (sum, term, product, factor, quotient, coefficient); view one or more parts of an expression as a single entity. For example, describe the expression 2 (8 + 7) as a product of two factors; view (8 + 7) as both a single entity and a sum of two terms.
  3. Evaluate expressions at specific values of their variables. Include expressions that arise from formulas used in real-world problems. Perform arithmetic operations, including those involving whole-number exponents, in the conventional order when there are no parentheses to specify a particular order (Order of Operations). For example, use the formulas V = s³ and A = 6 s² to find the volume and surface area of a cube with sides of length s = 1/2.
General Information
Subject Area: Mathematics
Grade: 6
Domain-Subdomain: Expressions & Equations
Cluster: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts
Cluster: Apply and extend previous understandings of arithmetic to algebraic expressions. (Major Cluster) -

Clusters should not be sorted from Major to Supporting and then taught in that order. To do so would strip the coherence of the mathematical ideas and miss the opportunity to enhance the major work of the grade with the supporting clusters.

Date Adopted or Revised: 02/14
Date of Last Rating: 02/14
Status: State Board Approved - Archived
Assessed: Yes
Test Item Specifications

  • Assessment Limits :

    N/A

  • Calculator :

    No

  • Context :

    Allowable

Sample Test Items (3)


Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
1205010: M/J Grade 6 Mathematics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1205020: M/J Accelerated Mathematics Grade 6 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020, 2020 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1204000: M/J Foundational Skills in Mathematics 6-8 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1200410: Mathematics for College Success (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022 (course terminated))
7812015: Access M/J Grade 6 Mathematics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7912110: Fundamental Explorations in Mathematics 1 (Specifically in versions: 2013 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Formative Assessments

Substitution Resolution:

Students are asked to evaluate formulas for given values of the variables.

Type: Formative Assessment

Parts of Expressions:

Students are asked to identify key parts of algebraic expressions.

Type: Formative Assessment

Writing Expressions:

Students are asked to write expressions that record operations with numbers and variables.

Type: Formative Assessment

Lesson Plans

Gather Data For Distribution by Programming an App:

This lesson allow students to gather, calculate, and plot data using both computer code and mathematical equations. In this lesson students will create a pedometer app to demonstrate the understanding of algorithms, components (such as buttons, textboxes, sensors, etc.), and If/Then statements. This lesson uses algebraic equations and random data to access the needed components to store data in a spreadsheet.

Type: Lesson Plan

Data Sets Represented in Computers:

This lesson shows how data can be represented by computers, in relation to everyday activities we may not be aware that we use computer. It gives an overview of graphing data by creating a histogram based on population data. Using the data collected, students will get a chance to hand write code to show what structure is needed for computers to collect, analyze and distribute such data. This lesson is lesson 1 of the Data Set and Deviation Statistics Unit and bridges statistical concepts of data collection, graphing and analysis with programming a computer using coding language while reinforcing foundational algebraic skills.

Type: Lesson Plan

Expressions and Art:

Students will design a color-by-expression picture in order for students to practice designing and evaluating algebraic expressions.

Type: Lesson Plan

Lost in Translation? Verbal and Algebraic Representations of Expressions and Equations:

This lesson is designed to assist in teacher facilitation of student understanding related to the concept of translating between verbal and algebraic two-step equations. 

Type: Lesson Plan

Going The Distance:

This lesson provides a hands-on activity where students can apply solving one-step multiplication and division equations to a real-world problem. The lesson focuses on the relationship between distance, rate, and time. The students will also represent data on graphs and draw conclusions and make interpretations based on the graphs.

Type: Lesson Plan

I'll Fly Today:

Students will use the provided data to calculate distance and total cost. Students will consider this data and other provided criteria to assist a travel agent in determining which airline to choose for a client.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

Interpreting Algebraic Expressions:

This lesson unit is intended to help you assess how well students are able to translate between words, symbols, tables, and area representations of algebraic expressions. It will help you to identify and support students who have difficulty in recognizing the order of algebraic operations, recognizing equivalent expressions and understanding the distributive laws of multiplication and division over addition (expansion of parentheses).

Type: Lesson Plan

Feel the Heat!:

This MEA is a great way to implement Florida State Standards for math and language arts. It also supports cooperative learning groups and encourages student engagement. Students will explore different types of materials to determine which absorbs the least amount of heat. Students will also calculate the surface area to determine the cost for constructing the buildings using the materials.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. MEAs resemble engineering problems and encourage students to create solutions in the form of mathematical and scientific models. Students work in teams to apply their knowledge of science and mathematics to solve an open-ended problem, while considering constraints and tradeoffs. Students integrate their ELA skills into MEAs as they are asked to clearly document their thought process. MEAs follow a problem-based, student centered approach to learning, where students are encouraged to grapple with the problem while the teacher acts as a facilitator. To learn more about MEA’s visit: https://www.cpalms.org/cpalms/mea.aspx

Type: Lesson Plan

Expressions, Phrases and Word Problems, Oh My!:

This lesson uses students' prior knowledge of operational clue words and applies it to translating written phrases into algebraic expressions and vice versa, as well as analyzing word problems for key clue words and writing the representative expression.

Type: Lesson Plan

Decoding Word Phrases-Translating verbal phrases to variable expressions:

This lesson is designed to help students decode word phrases and then translate them from word form into numerical form. It provides a resource, in the form of a foldable, that can be kept all year and used anytime the students need to decode word phrases.

Type: Lesson Plan

Let's Translate!!:

This lesson teaches students to translate verbal phrases into algebraic expressions. Students are given practice in writing expressions that record operations with numbers and with letters representing numbers. Special attention is given to writing operations in the correct order. A class work and homework worksheet is provided with keys for each.

Type: Lesson Plan

The n-gon Train:

In this lesson, students will determine the perimeter of a train of polygons, for different regular polygons. The accompanying videos (intended audience is teachers) provide segments of an implementation of the lesson.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorials

MacCoder’s Farm Part 3: If Statements:

Explore computer coding on the farm by using relational operators and IF statements to evaluate expressions. In this interactive tutorial, you'll also solve problems involving inequalities.

Click below to check out the other tutorials in the series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

MacCoder’s Farm Part 2: Condition Statements:

Explore computer coding on the farm by using condition and IF statements in this interactive tutorial. You'll also get a chance to apply the order of operations as you using coding to solve problems.

Click below to check out the other tutorials in the series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

MacCoder’s Farm Part 1: Declare Variables:

Explore computer coding on the farm by declaring and initializing variables in this interactive tutorial. You'll also get a chance to practice your long division skills.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Problem-Solving Tasks

Rectangle Perimeter 1:

This tasks gives a verbal description for computing the perimeter of a rectangle and asks the students to find an expression for this perimeter. They then have to use the expression to evaluate the perimeter for specific values of the two variables.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Distance to School:

This task asks students to find equivalent expressions by visualizing a familiar activity involving distance. The given solution shows some possible equivalent expressions, but there are many variations possible.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Student Center Activity

Edcite: Mathematics Grade 6:

Students can practice answering mathematics questions on a variety of topics. With an account, students can save their work and send it to their teacher when complete.

Type: Student Center Activity

Teaching Idea

True, False, and Open Sentences:

"Students first explore arithmetic sentences to decide whether they are true or false. The lesson then introduces students to sentences that are neither true nor false but are algebraic equations, also called open sentences, such as x + 3 = 7 or 2 x = 12." from Math Solutions.

Type: Teaching Idea

Tutorials

How to Evaluate an Expression with Variables:

Learn how to evaluate an expression with variables using a technique called substitution.

Type: Tutorial

How to Evaluate Expressions with Two Variables:

This video demonstrates evaluating expressions with two variables.

Type: Tutorial

Thinking About the Changing Values of Variables and Expressions:

Explore how the value of an algebraic expression changes as the value of its variable changes. 

Type: Tutorial

How to Evaluate an Expression Using Substitution:

In this example, we have a formula for converting a Celsius temperature to Fahrenheit. 

Type: Tutorial

Order of Operations: PEMDAS:

Work through a challenging order of operations example with only positive numbers.

Type: Tutorial

Order of Operations :

Work through a challenging order of operations example with only positive numbers.

Type: Tutorial

Examples of evaluating variable expressions:

Examples of evaluating variable expressions

Type: Tutorial

Example: Evaluating expressions with 2 variables:

Evaluating Expressions with Two Variables

Type: Tutorial

How to evaluate an expression using substitution:

In this example we have a formula for converting Celsius temperature to Fahrenheit. Let's substitute the variable with a value (Celsius temp) to get the degrees in Fahrenheit. Great problem to practice with us!

Type: Tutorial

Evaluating an algebraic expression in a word problem:

In this example of evaluating expressions, we're dusting off some geometry. On top of that, it's a word problem. We're seeing how different concepts in math are layered on top of each other to create more interesting and complex problems to solve.

Type: Tutorial

Why aren't we using the multiplication sign?:

Great question. In algebra, we do indeed avoid using the multiplication sign. We'll explain it for you here.

Type: Tutorial

What is a variable?:

Our focus here is understanding that a variable is just a letter or symbol (usually a lower case letter) that can represent different values in an expression. We got this. Just watch.

Type: Tutorial

STEM Lessons - Model Eliciting Activity

Feel the Heat!:

This MEA is a great way to implement Florida State Standards for math and language arts. It also supports cooperative learning groups and encourages student engagement. Students will explore different types of materials to determine which absorbs the least amount of heat. Students will also calculate the surface area to determine the cost for constructing the buildings using the materials.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. MEAs resemble engineering problems and encourage students to create solutions in the form of mathematical and scientific models. Students work in teams to apply their knowledge of science and mathematics to solve an open-ended problem, while considering constraints and tradeoffs. Students integrate their ELA skills into MEAs as they are asked to clearly document their thought process. MEAs follow a problem-based, student centered approach to learning, where students are encouraged to grapple with the problem while the teacher acts as a facilitator. To learn more about MEA’s visit: https://www.cpalms.org/cpalms/mea.aspx

I'll Fly Today:

Students will use the provided data to calculate distance and total cost. Students will consider this data and other provided criteria to assist a travel agent in determining which airline to choose for a client.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

MFAS Formative Assessments

Parts of Expressions:

Students are asked to identify key parts of algebraic expressions.

Substitution Resolution:

Students are asked to evaluate formulas for given values of the variables.

Writing Expressions:

Students are asked to write expressions that record operations with numbers and variables.

Computer Science Original Student Tutorials

MacCoder’s Farm Part 1: Declare Variables:

Explore computer coding on the farm by declaring and initializing variables in this interactive tutorial. You'll also get a chance to practice your long division skills.

MacCoder’s Farm Part 2: Condition Statements:

Explore computer coding on the farm by using condition and IF statements in this interactive tutorial. You'll also get a chance to apply the order of operations as you using coding to solve problems.

Click below to check out the other tutorials in the series.

MacCoder’s Farm Part 3: If Statements:

Explore computer coding on the farm by using relational operators and IF statements to evaluate expressions. In this interactive tutorial, you'll also solve problems involving inequalities.

Click below to check out the other tutorials in the series.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorials

MacCoder’s Farm Part 3: If Statements:

Explore computer coding on the farm by using relational operators and IF statements to evaluate expressions. In this interactive tutorial, you'll also solve problems involving inequalities.

Click below to check out the other tutorials in the series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

MacCoder’s Farm Part 2: Condition Statements:

Explore computer coding on the farm by using condition and IF statements in this interactive tutorial. You'll also get a chance to apply the order of operations as you using coding to solve problems.

Click below to check out the other tutorials in the series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

MacCoder’s Farm Part 1: Declare Variables:

Explore computer coding on the farm by declaring and initializing variables in this interactive tutorial. You'll also get a chance to practice your long division skills.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Problem-Solving Tasks

Rectangle Perimeter 1:

This tasks gives a verbal description for computing the perimeter of a rectangle and asks the students to find an expression for this perimeter. They then have to use the expression to evaluate the perimeter for specific values of the two variables.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Distance to School:

This task asks students to find equivalent expressions by visualizing a familiar activity involving distance. The given solution shows some possible equivalent expressions, but there are many variations possible.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Student Center Activity

Edcite: Mathematics Grade 6:

Students can practice answering mathematics questions on a variety of topics. With an account, students can save their work and send it to their teacher when complete.

Type: Student Center Activity

Tutorials

How to Evaluate an Expression with Variables:

Learn how to evaluate an expression with variables using a technique called substitution.

Type: Tutorial

How to Evaluate Expressions with Two Variables:

This video demonstrates evaluating expressions with two variables.

Type: Tutorial

Thinking About the Changing Values of Variables and Expressions:

Explore how the value of an algebraic expression changes as the value of its variable changes. 

Type: Tutorial

How to Evaluate an Expression Using Substitution:

In this example, we have a formula for converting a Celsius temperature to Fahrenheit. 

Type: Tutorial

Order of Operations: PEMDAS:

Work through a challenging order of operations example with only positive numbers.

Type: Tutorial

Order of Operations :

Work through a challenging order of operations example with only positive numbers.

Type: Tutorial

Example: Evaluating expressions with 2 variables:

Evaluating Expressions with Two Variables

Type: Tutorial

How to evaluate an expression using substitution:

In this example we have a formula for converting Celsius temperature to Fahrenheit. Let's substitute the variable with a value (Celsius temp) to get the degrees in Fahrenheit. Great problem to practice with us!

Type: Tutorial

Why aren't we using the multiplication sign?:

Great question. In algebra, we do indeed avoid using the multiplication sign. We'll explain it for you here.

Type: Tutorial

What is a variable?:

Our focus here is understanding that a variable is just a letter or symbol (usually a lower case letter) that can represent different values in an expression. We got this. Just watch.

Type: Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Problem-Solving Tasks

Rectangle Perimeter 1:

This tasks gives a verbal description for computing the perimeter of a rectangle and asks the students to find an expression for this perimeter. They then have to use the expression to evaluate the perimeter for specific values of the two variables.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Distance to School:

This task asks students to find equivalent expressions by visualizing a familiar activity involving distance. The given solution shows some possible equivalent expressions, but there are many variations possible.

Type: Problem-Solving Task