7.NS.2.c: Apply properties of operations as strategies to multiply and divide rational numbers.

Hands-on Activities

1. Recipe Adjustments

Help your child practice multiplying and dividing fractions by adjusting recipes. For example, ask them to halve or double a recipe, requiring them to multiply or divide the quantities of ingredients.

2. Budget Planning

Work on a simple budget with your child. Let them multiply and divide money amounts to adjust a weekly or monthly budget, which helps understand spending limits and savings.

3. Distance and Time Calculations

Use maps or apps to find distances between places. Have your child calculate travel times or costs if traveling at different speeds or with different modes of transportation, involving multiplication or division of rational numbers.

4. Temperature Conversion

Teach your child to convert temperatures from Celsius to Fahrenheit and vice versa, using the formulas (C × 9/5) + 32 = F or (F - 32) × 5/9 = C. This involves both multiplication and division of fractions and decimals.

5. Sales and Discounts

When shopping, have your child calculate the final price of items after applying a discount or tax. This will involve multiplying decimals, such as applying a 20% discount or 8% sales tax to the original price.

Strategies When Your Child Struggles

1. Use Visual Aids

Encourage the use of number lines or diagrams to visualize multiplication and division of fractions and negative numbers.

2. Break It Down

Help your child break down complex problems into smaller, manageable steps, especially when multiple operations are involved.

3. Real-world Connections

Relate multiplication and division of rational numbers to real-life scenarios, such as cooking or money management, to enhance understanding.

4. Practice with Technology

Utilize educational apps or online platforms that offer interactive exercises for multiplying and dividing rational numbers.

5-Minute Activities

Activity 1: Flashcard Drills

Create flashcards with multiplication and division problems involving rational numbers for quick review sessions.

Activity 2: Daily Number Challenges

Pose a daily rational number challenge, such as multiplying or dividing two specific numbers, and discuss the solution together.

Activity 3: Online Quizzes

Find online quizzes focused on multiplying and dividing rational numbers for quick practice and feedback.

Activity 4: Number Puzzles

Use number puzzles that involve multiplying and dividing rational numbers to enhance problem-solving skills.

Mid-Year Expectations

By the middle of 7th grade, your child should be able to:

• Students should be able to multiply and divide integers accurately.
• Students should begin to feel comfortable with multiplying and dividing fractions and simple decimals.

End-of-Year Expectations

By the end of 7th grade, your child should be able to:

• Students can multiply and divide all forms of rational numbers, including complex fractions and mixed numbers.
• Students utilize properties of operations accurately in diverse scenarios.

Mastery Signs

Your child has mastered this standard when they can:

• Consistent accuracy in multiplying and dividing rational numbers in various forms.
• Ability to explain and apply different properties of operations in solving problems.
• Shows confidence in handling real-world problems involving rational numbers.

Questions to Ask:

Ask your child to solve these problems and explain their process:

• Multiply -3/4 by 2/5.
• Divide 3.5 by -0.7.
• If a recipe requires 2 1/2 cups of flour and serves 4, how much flour is needed per serving?
• A car travels 120 miles using 4 gallons of gas. How many gallons would be needed for a 90 mile journey?