ALEX Learning Activity

In this learning activity, students will learn to solve multistep problems posed with positive and negative rational numbers in any form (whole numbers, fractions, and decimals), using tools strategically. The students will apply properties of operations to calculate numbers in any form; convert between forms as appropriate, and assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies.

This learning activity can be used as a stand-alone activity but is best used as a Before Activity, the During and After Activities can be found in the Tools or Recommendations section.

Students will be able to:

• solve multi-step real-world and mathematical problems involving rational numbers (integers, signed fractions, and decimals), converting between forms as needed.
• assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies.

This activity will be used at the beginning of solving multi-step real-world and mathematical problems involving rational numbers (integers, signed fractions, and decimals), converting between forms as needed lesson.

Engage (5 minutes, whole group)

• The teacher will ask the students what comes to mind when they are asked to solve multi-step real-life and mathematical problems. The teacher will allow students to elaborate. (Answers will vary)

Lesson (20 minutes, whole group)

• The teacher will use the Multi-Step Real-Life and Mathematical Problems Google Doc as a teaching tool. (The Google Doc provides examples and step-by answers to each example.)
• Students will observe, take notes, use their math journals or paper, and ask questions.

Conclusion (10 minutes, whole group)

The teacher will review the lesson content embedded in the Google Doc and answer any further questions the students may have concerning solving multi-step real-world and mathematical problems involving rational numbers (integers, signed fractions, and decimals), converting between forms as needed.

The student responses during the class discussion will be used as a formative assessment.

• The teacher should review the Multi-Step Real-Life and Mathematical Problems Google Doc prior to the lesson.
• The teacher will need to decide on how he/she will display the Multi-Step Real-Life and Mathematical Problems Google Doc.
• The students will need math journals if used for notes or paper if math journals are not used.

• The teacher can make a copy of the Google Doc and change example problems as needed.
• The teacher can assign the example problems and have the students work on the problems first before the whole group learns.
• The teacher can have the students write their notes on plain notebook paper instead of in math journals.

This activity can stand alone or be used as a Before/Engage activity for the following learning activities:

Multi-Step Real-Life and Mathematical Problems Lesson (During Activity)

Multi-Step Real-Life and Mathematical Practice Problems (After Activity)