Formative Instructional and Assessment Tasks
Which Building Has More Rooms?
5.OA.2 - Task 4
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?
There are four office buildings on Pickney Street. The blue building has 22 rooms on each
of the 14 floors. Compared to the blue building, the white building has half as many rooms
on each floor and half as many floors. Compared to the white building, the red building
has double the number of floors and the same number of rooms on each floor. Compared
to the blue building, the gray building has twice as many floors and half as many 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 blue building has _____ as many rooms as the white building.
b) The red building has ____ as many rooms as the blue building.
c) The red building has ____ as many rooms as the white building.
d) The gray building has ___ as many rooms as the blue building.
e) The white building has ___ as many rooms as the gray building.
f) The red building has ____ as many rooms as the gray 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: Blue = 22 x 14; White = 11
x 7; Red = 11 x 14; Gray = 11 x 28
 Part 2: a) four times; b) half; c)
twice; d) the same amount; e) onefourth; f) half
 Part 3: The student gives accurate
explanations about how they know
they are correct.
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?
There are four office buildings on Pickney Street. The blue building has 22 rooms
on each of the 14 floors. Compared to the blue building, the white building has half
as many rooms on each floor and half as many floors. Compared to the white
building, the red building has double the number of floors and the same number of
rooms on each floor. Compared to the blue building, the gray building has twice as
many floors and half as many 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 blue building has ________________________ as many rooms as the
white building.
b) The red building has ________________________ as many rooms as the blue
building.
c) The red building has ________________________ as many rooms as the
white building.
d) The gray building has ________________________ as many rooms as the
blue building.
e) The white building has ________________________ as many rooms as the
gray building.
f) The red building has ________________________ as many rooms as the gray
building.
Part 3:
For each comparison above, explain your reasoning and how you know you are
correct.
NC DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
FIFTH GRADE