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Solve real-world problems involving any of the four operations with rational numbers.
Clarifications
Clarification 1: Instruction includes using one or more operations to solve problems.General Information
Subject Area: Mathematics (B.E.S.T.)
Grade: 7
Strand: Number Sense and Operations
Date Adopted or Revised: 08/20
Status: State Board Approved
Benchmark Instructional Guide
Connecting Benchmarks/Horizontal Alignment
Terms from the K-12 Glossary
- Rational Number
Vertical Alignment
Previous Benchmarks
Next Benchmarks
Purpose and Instructional Strategies
Students solve real-world problems involving any of the four operations with positive multi-digit decimals or positive fractions, including mixed numbers in grade 6, with all rational numbers in grade 7, and with rational numbers including exponents and radicals in grade 8.- This benchmark applies the procedural fluency skills of the previous benchmark to real-world problems (MTR.3.1).
- Students should develop fluency with and without the use of a calculator when performing operations with rational numbers.
- Instruction includes the use of technology to help emphasize the proper use of grouping symbols for order of operations.
- With the completion of operations with rational numbers in grade 7, students should have experience using technology with decimals and fractions as they occur in the real world. This experience will help to prepare students working with irrational numbers in grade 8.
- Open-ended tasks with real-world contexts (MTR.7.1) will allow students to practice multiple pathways for solutions as well as to make comparisons with their peers (MTR.4.1) to refine their problem-solving methods.
- Instruction includes support in vocabulary development as related to the context of the real-world problems when necessary.
Common Misconceptions or Errors
- Students may incorrectly perform operations with the numbers in the problem based on what has recently been taught, rather than what is most appropriate for a solution. To overcome this misconception, have students estimate or predict solutions prior to solving and then compare those predictions to their actual solution to see if it is reasonable (MTR.6.1).
- Students may incorrectly oversimplify a problem by circling the numbers, underlining the question, boxing in key words, and eliminating context information that is needed for the solution. This process can cause students to not be able to comprehend the context or the situation (MTR.2.1, MTR.4.1, MTR.5.1, MTR.7.1).
Strategies to Support Tiered Instruction
- Instruction includes the use of visual representations and manipulatives to represent the given situation and use the chosen representation to help find the solution.
- The teacher provides opportunities for students to comprehend the context or situation by engaging in questions like the ones below.
- What do you know from the problem?
- What is the problem asking you to find?
- Can you create a visual model to help you understand or see patterns in your problem?
- Teacher co-creates a graphic organizer with students to review operations with positive fractions and operations with integers to assist when applying operations with rational numbers.
- Instruction includes the use of a three-read strategy. Students read the problem three different times, each with a different purpose. Laminating these questions on a printed card for students to utilize as a resource in and out of the classroom would be helpful.
- First, read the problem with the purpose of answering the question: What is the problem, context, or story about?
- Second, read the problem with the purpose of answering the question: What are we trying to find out?
- Third, read the problem with the purpose of answering the question: What information is important in the problem?
- Instruction includes having students estimate or predict solutions prior to solving and then compare those predictions to their actual solution to see if it is reasonable.
Instructional Tasks
Instructional Task 1 (MTR.7.1)All of the 7th grade homeroom classes collected recycling, with the top three classes splitting the grand prize of $800 toward building their own gardens. Mr. Brogle’s class turned in 237 pounds of recycling, Mrs. Abiola’s class turned in 192 pounds and Mr. Wheeler’s class turned in 179 pounds. How should these top three divide the money so that each class gets the same fraction of the prize money as the fraction of recycling they collected?
Instructional Task 2 (MTR.7.1)
Kari and Natalia went to the Fun Warehouse with $20 each to spend. There is a $3 entry fee each and the menu of activities is shown below. What are some possible combinations of activities Kari and Natalia can enjoy before they each run out of money?
Instructional Task 3 (MTR.4.1, MTR.7.1)
Anjeanette is making cupcakes for her sister’s birthday. Among other ingredients, her recipe calls for 2 cups of flour, cup of butter and cup sugar in one batch. In the kitchen, she has 8 cups of flour, 2 cups of butter and 2 cups of sugar.
- Part A. How many batches of cupcakes can Anjeanette make?
- Part B. What should Anjeanette ask for if she wants to borrow from her neighbor to make one more batch?
Instructional Items
Instructional Item 1Kari and Natalia went to the Fun Warehouse with $20 each to spend. They paid the $3 entry fee each and then decided they would both play laser tag and mini-bowling. If they finished the day with playing 4 video games each, how much money will be left?
*The strategies, tasks and items included in the B1G-M are examples and should not be considered comprehensive.
Related Courses
This benchmark is part of these courses.
1200400: Foundational Skills in Mathematics 9-12 (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))
1205040: M/J Grade 7 Mathematics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 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))
7812020: Access M/J Grade 7 Mathematics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
Related Access Points
Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
MA.7.NSO.2.AP.3: Using tools or models, solve real-world problems involving any of the four operations with rational numbers.
Related Resources
Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.
Formative Assessments
Lesson Plan
Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea
MFAS Formative Assessments
Alexa’s Account:
Students are asked to assess the reasonableness of an answer using mental computation and estimation strategies.
Monitoring Water Temperatures:
Students are asked to solve a word problem that involves finding the average of positive and negative decimal numbers.
Using Estimation:
Students are asked to assess the reasonableness of answers using estimation strategies.
Student Resources
Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.
Parent Resources
Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.
Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: Overview:
Why did the math teacher KROS the ocean? Because it made for a wonderful way to engage students and do something unique.
Related Resources:
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: GPS Data Set [.XLSX]
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: Path Visualization for Google Earth [.KML]
Type: Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea
