GRADE BAND: 6/7
Domain: The Number System
Why this domain is a priority for
professional development




This domain in grades 6 and 7 is the capstone of
number in the elementary grades – culminates with
students understanding the rational number system
It grounds work in Algebra
It grounds work in other number systems (e.g.,
irrational number system)
Basis for life skills
Clusters or Standards in this Domain on
which PD Should Focus
(6) Apply and extend previous understandings of
multiplication and division to divide fractions by
fractions.
(6) Apply and extend previous understandings of
numbers to the system of rational numbers.
(7) Apply and extend previous understandings of
operations with fractions to add, subtract, multiply,
and divide rational numbers (includes specific
attention to horizontal and vertical numbers lines)
Where should we start with PD for
math teachers in Grades 6 and 7?



Precondition for grades 6/7 Number System
Standards: Deep understanding of operations with
multi-digit whole numbers
(addition/subtraction/multiplication/division).
Supports teachers to develop a similar deep
understanding of operations with decimals, fractions,
and positive/negative numbers.
Important to see similarities across different “kinds”
of rational numbers.
Existing resources that support these
domains and standards
Among others:
 Connected Mathematics Units (Bits & Pieces 1, 2,
and 3)
 COMET casebooks on Rational Number
 NCTM resources/on-line and print/Essential
Understandings books/Curriculum Focal Points books
 Fraction guide from What Works Clearinghouse
 Materials from Marge Petit
How do we suggest coherence in PD in this domain?
Domains and standards that are in
need of new resources