Formative Instructional and Assessment Tasks
Which Building Has More Rooms? II
5.OA.2 - Task 5
Domain
Cluster
Standard(s)
Materials
Task
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
Write and interpret numerical expressions.
5.OA.2 Write simple expressions that record calculations with numbers, and interpret
numerical expressions without evaluating them. For example, express the calculation “add
8 and 7, then multiply by 2” as 2 × (8 + 7). Recognize that 3 × (18932 + 921) is three
times as large as 18932 + 921, without having to calculate the indicated sum or product.
Paper and pencil, Activity sheet (attached)
Which Building Has More Rooms? II
There are four office buildings on Main Street. The black building has 45 rooms on each of
the 12 floors. Compared to the black building, the purple building has one-third as many
rooms on each floor and the same number of floors. Compared to the black building, the
green building has one-third the number of floors and the same number of rooms on each
floor. Compared to the green building, the white building has nine times as many floors
and the same number of rooms on each floor.
Part 1:
Write an expression for each building. Do not worry about solving the expressions.
Part 2:
Write mathematical comparisons that compare each of the following:
a) The black building has _____ as many rooms as the purple building.
b) The black building has ____ as many rooms as the green building.
c) The black building has ____ as many rooms as the white building.
d) The green building has ___ as many rooms as the purple building.
e) The white building has ___ as many rooms as the green building.
f) The purple building has ____ as many rooms as the white building.
Part 3:
For each comparison above, explain your reasoning and how you know you are correct.
Rubric
Level I
Limited Performance
 Student shows a limited
understanding of writing
expressions and comparing
expressions.
Level II
Not Yet Proficient
 Student is unable to provide
an accurate answer for each
part OR the student is unable
to successfully explain their
reasoning.
NC DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
Level III
Proficient in Performance
 Part 1: Black = 45x12;
Purple = 15x12; Green =
45x4; White = 45 x 36
 Part 2: a) three times; b)
three times; c) one-third; d)
same number; e) nine times;
f) nine times
 Part 3: the answers are clear
and accurately explain
students’ reasoning.
FIFTH GRADE
Formative Instructional and Assessment Tasks
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Standards for Mathematical Practice
Makes sense and perseveres in solving problems.
Reasons abstractly and quantitatively.
Constructs viable arguments and critiques the reasoning of others.
Models with mathematics.
Uses appropriate tools strategically.
Attends to precision.
Looks for and makes use of structure.
Looks for and expresses regularity in repeated reasoning.
NC DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
FIFTH GRADE
Formative Instructional and Assessment Tasks
Which Building Has More Rooms? II
There are four office buildings on Main Street. The black building has 45 rooms on
each of the 12 floors. Compared to the black building, the purple building has onethird as many rooms on each floor and the same number of floors. Compared to the
black building, the green building has one-third the number of floors and the same
number of rooms on each floor. Compared to the green building, the white building
has nine times as many floors and the same number of rooms on each floor.
Part 1:
Write an expression for each building. Do not worry about solving the expressions.
Part 2:
Write mathematical comparisons that compare each of the following:
a) The black building has ________________________ as many rooms as the
purple building.
b) The black building has ________________________ as many rooms as the
green building.
c) The black building has ________________________ as many rooms as the
white building.
d) The green building has ________________________ as many rooms as the
purple building.
e) The white building has ________________________ as many rooms as the
green building.
f) The purple building has ________________________ as many rooms as the
white building.
Part 3:
For each comparison above, explain your reasoning and how you know you are
correct.
NC DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
FIFTH GRADE