standard_description: Solve two-step word problems using the four operations. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding. (This standard is limited to problems posed with whole numbers and having whole number answers; students should know how to perform operations in the conventional order when there are no parentheses to specify a particular order (Order of Operations).)
problem_activity: Narrative
The purpose of this activity is for students to ask and answer questions using their bar graphs from a previous activity. Students work with the group they collected survey data with to create questions that can be answered with their bar graphs. Then students are paired up with a new partner to use these questions to practice solving one- and two-step “how many more” and “how many fewer” problems using information presented in scaled bar graphs (MP2).
MLR8 Discussion Supports.
Prior to solving the problems, invite students to make sense of the bar graphs and take turns sharing their understanding with their partner. Listen for and clarify any questions about the context.
Advances: Speaking, Representing
Required Materials
Materials to Gather
Materials from a previous activity
Required Preparation
Each group needs the bar graphs they created in the previous activity.
Launch
Groups of 4
“Work with your group to complete these sentences to write questions that could be answered with your bar graph.”
5–7 minutes: small-group work time
Have each group share one of their questions and how they came up with the question.
Activity
Groups of 2
Be sure students have a partner that wasn’t in their group in the previous activity.
“Use your partner's graph to answer the questions your partner wrote. They’ll answer your questions while you’re answering theirs. Then you’ll spend a few minutes checking each other’s work.”
7–10 minutes: partner work time
Have students switch partners again and repeat as time permits.
Student Facing
Write questions that could be answered with your bar graph by completing these sentences.
How many more students liked ___________________________
than ___________________________ ?
How many fewer students liked ___________________________than
___________________________ ?
How many more students liked ___________________________or
___________________________ than ___________________________ ?
Use your partner’s graph to answer their questions. Show or explain your reasoning.
The answers to the questions from ___________________________ ’s graph:
Student Response
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Activity Synthesis
“What was the most interesting question you answered about a scaled graph?”


aligns: no