Extending Previous Understandings of Properties Mini-Assessment

Author: Student Achievement Partners

  • Description
  • Files

This mini-assessment is designed to illustrate the cluster 6.EE.A, which sets an expectation for students to apply and extend previous understandings of arithmetic to algebraic expressions. It consists of a variety of carefully chosen problem types, including fill-in-the-blank and short answer, in order to assess the breadth of understanding for algebraic expressions. This mini-assessment is designed for teachers to use either in the classroom, for self-learning, or in professional development settings to:

  • Gain knowledge about assessing conceptual understanding and application of algebraic expressions;
  • Use in professional development as an illustration of CCSS-aligned assessment problems; and
  • Identify strengths and weaknesses in students' ability to apply arithmetic understandings to algebraic expressions – whether before, during, or after teaching aspects of this material.

  • Making the Shifts

    How does this mini-assessment exemplify the instructional Shifts required by CCSSM?

    Focus Belongs to the major work of sixth grade
    Coherence Builds on earlier understandings of arithmetic properties (e.g., 3.OA.B.5 and 5.NBT.B) to work with algebraic expressions (6.EE.A)
    Rigor

    Conceptual Understanding: primary in this mini-assessment

    Procedural Skill and Fluency: not targeted in this mini-assessment

    Application: primary in this mini-assessment
  • Noteworthy features of this resource
    • Mathematically:
      • Assesses work with expressions using a variety of problem types
      • Continues the learning trajectory toward flexible use of properties and numeric and algebraic expressions
      • Uses variables in every problem to ensure students understand how to use them in a variety of contexts
      • Contains a variety of variables so that students are exposed to more than just $x$ and $y$
    • As a mini-assessment:
      • Contains a variety of conceptual and application problems requiring varied solution paths
      • Allows the teacher to evaluate students on their understanding of 6.EE.A in order to prepare to teach 6.EE.A or to check student understanding after teaching 6.EE.A
      • Does not require students to recall the names of the properties, but ensures they can be used flexibly

Supplemental Resources