CORE Assessment Module
Module Overview
Content Area
Title
Grade Level
Problem Type
Standards for
Mathematical
Practice
Common Core
State
Module Overview
Mathematics
Animals of Rhomaar
Grade 7
Performance Task
Mathematical Practice 4 (MP4): Model with mathematics.
Mathematically proficient students:
 Apply the mathematics they know to solve problems arising in everyday
life, society, and the workplace.
o In early grades, this might be as simple as writing an addition equation
to describe a situation. In middle grades, a student might apply
proportional reasoning to plan a school event or analyze a problem in
the community.
o By high school, a student might use geometry to solve a design problem
or use a function to describe how one quantity of interest depends on
another.
 Make assumptions and approximations to simplify a complicated situation,
realizing that these may need revision later.
 Identify important quantities in a practical situation and map their
relationships using such tools as diagrams, two-way tables, graphs,
flowcharts and formulas.
 Analyze those relationships mathematically to draw conclusions.
 Interpret their mathematical results in the context of the situation and reflect
on whether the results make sense, possibly improving the model if it has
not served its purpose.
Mathematical Practice 5 (MP5): Use appropriate tools strategically.
Mathematically proficient students:
 Consider the available tools when solving a mathematical problem (tools
might include pencil and paper, concrete models, a ruler, a protractor, a
calculator, a spreadsheet, a computer algebra system, a statistical package,
or dynamic geometry software).
 Are sufficiently familiar with tools appropriate for their grade or course to
make sound decisions about when each of these tools might be helpful,
recognizing both the insight to be gained and their limitations.
 Detect possible errors by strategically using estimation and other
mathematical knowledge.
 Know that technology can enable them to visualize the results of varying
assumptions, explore consequences, and compare predictions with data.
 Identify relevant external mathematical resources, such as digital content on
a website, and use them to pose or solve problems.
Use technological tools to explore and deepen their understanding of concepts.
7.RP.1 Compute unit rates associated with ratios of fractions, including ratios of
lengths, areas and other quantities measured in like or different units.
Page 1
Standards
SBAC
Assessment
Claims
Task
Overview
Module
Components
7.RP.2 Recognize and represent proportional relationships between quantities.
7.RP.2a Decide whether two quantities are in a proportional relationship, e.g., by
testing for equivalence ratios in a table or graphing on a coordinate plane
and observing whether the graph is straight line.
7.RP.2b Identify the constant of proportionality (unit rate) in tables, graphs,
diagrams and verbal descriptions of proportional relationships.
7.RP.2d. Explain what a point (x, y) on the graph of a proportional relationship
means in terms of the situation, with special attention to the points (0, 0)
and (1, r) where r is the unit rate.
7.NS.2 Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication and division
and of fractions to multiply and divide rational numbers.
 7.NS.3 Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving the four
operations with rational numbers.
Claim 2: Problem Solving—Students can solve a range of complex, well-posed
problems in pure and applied mathematics, making productive use of
knowledge and problem-solving strategies.
Claim 3: Communicating Reasoning—Students can clearly and precisely
construct viable arguments to support their own reasoning and to critique
the reasoning of others.
Students will be asked to solve some constructed response questions involving
ratios, unit rates, and proportions. In Part 2, students will put their
information into charts and will graph it. Students will need to interpret
that the graph shows a proportional relationship. The performance task
requires students to compare and contrast their animal with another
group’s animals using the tools from Parts 1 and 2 to determine whether a
proportional relationship exists.
1) Scoring Guide
2) Task
Math Grade 7: Module Overview
Page 2
Animals of Rhomaar
Scoring Guide
Part
1
2
3
Description
Credit for specific aspects of performance should be given as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Ratios will vary. See data table below.
Unit ratios will vary. See data table below.
Answers will vary. See data table below.
Answers will vary. See data table below.
Student response should include at least two of these “look-for”
phrases: “divide height by years,” “multiply by years wanted,” or
“convert to unit rate and multiply.”
6. Answers will vary: See data table below.
Correct answer given, but no work shown
Correct proportion or method shown, but with math error
Correct answer given with correct supporting work
7. Answers will vary. Students should calculate the values by multiplying
the year by the unit rate. Give 1 pt for every 2 sets of points.
8. Student correctly graphs the points.
 Both axes are labeled
 Ordered pairs are graphed correctly as (time, height).
Give 1 pt for every 2 sets of points.
a. Student correctly describes the graph as a line or a straight line.
b. Student correctly describes a point on the graph: The x variable
represents time or the age of the animal in years.
The y variable represents the height of the animal.
c. Student correctly describes the constant of proportionality:
In the table, the unit rate represents the increase in the y-values each
year.
In the graph, the unit rate represents the “slope” or “rate of change”
or the “increase in height” each year.
1. Students gives the correct animal names, growth rate, and life span.
Animal 1: growth rate and life span
Animal 2: growth rate and life span
Animal 3: growth rate and life span
2. Student uses a ratio, rate, and/or proportion to justify answer.
(1 point for each animal)
3. Student uses a table or graph to compare the different animals.
(1 point for each animal)
4. and 5. Student provides a written explanation of at least 3 sentences.
 Student explains the growth rates.
 Student explains whether or not the hypothesis is correct.
TOTAL POINTS:
(possible points = 40 points)
Math Grade 7: Scoring Guide
Points
Total
Points
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
3
1
1
1
1–5
5
11
1
1–5
1
1
1
1
1
6
2
2
2
1–3
3
1–3
3
3
1
2
Page 3
Animals of Rhomaar Data Table
Animal
Flickerbill
Diggysee
Tonypen
Chucky
Lightchee
Stargazer
Original
Ratio
24/4
39/12
30/9
45/10
27/6
26/8
Unit Rate
6 cm/yr
3.25 cm/yr
10/3 cm/yr
4.5 cm/yr
4.5 cm/yr
3.25 cm/yr
Height in
2 Years
12 cm
6.5 cm
6-2/3 cm
9 cm
9 cm
6.5 cm
Height in
5 Years
30 cm
16.25 cm
16-2/3 cm
22.5 cm
22.5 cm
16.25 cm
Math Grade 7: Scoring Guide
Life Span
(yr to 80 cm)
15 years
~27 years
24 years
20 years
30 years
~27 years
Page 4
Student Name ______________________
Animals of Rhomaar
Scientists are studying the different animals on the planet Rhomaar. The scientists have
collected data for the first twelve years of each animal’s life and they have found out that, unlike
humans on Earth, every animal on Rhomaar grows the same amount of centimeters every year.
And since Rhomaar is a magical place, all of the animals are born with zero height.
The scientists have provided us with data about the heights of the different animals, but since
the planet is so far away we have only received the information about the animals listed below.
We need to act as scientists to help them figure out the information they need.
TO DO:
1) Answer questions about ratios, rates, and proportions of the animals.
2) Use a table and a graph to understand animals’ rate of growth.
3) Compare growth rates of different animals.
Animals
Flickerbill:
Diggysee:
Tonypen:
Chucky:
Lightchee:
Stargazer:
It is 24 centimeters tall when it is 4 years old.
It is 39 centimeters tall when it is 12 years old.
It is 30 centimeters tall when it is 5 years old.
It is 45 centimeters tall when it is 10 years old.
It is 27 centimeters tall when it is 6 years old.
It is 26 centimeters tall when it is 8 years old.
Part 1
Each group will be assigned one animal to study. Write your group number and animal
name below.
Group number: __________
Animal:___________________________
1. Write a ratio for your animal’s height in centimeters and the year of its life.
Ratio:
cm
years
2. What is the constant of proportionality (unit rate)?
Unit Rate =
cm
1 year
3. What was your animal’s height at 2 years?
4. What was your animal’s height at 5 years?
Math Grade 7: Animals of Rhomaar
Page 1
Student Name ______________________
5. Explain how you can figure out the height for your animal for any year of its life.
6. The animals on Rhomaar live until they reach a height of 90 cm. How many years will
your animal be alive? Show work to support your answer.
Part 2
7. Fill out the table for your animal’s height for each year.
(x)
Year(s)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
(y)
Height
Math Grade 7: Animals of Rhomaar
Page 2
Student Name ______________________
8. Use the information from the table to plot the points of your animal on a graph.
Math Grade 7: Animals of Rhomaar
Page 3
Student Name ______________________
a. Describe your graph.
b. Explain what a point on the graph represents.
c. Explain how the constant of proportionality (unit rate) can be observed in the
table and in the graph.
Math Grade 7: Animals of Rhomaar
Page 4
Student Name ______________________
Part 3
The scientists have learned two important facts about the animals of Rhomaar.
(1) The animals of Rhomaar have a constant growth rate.
(2) The animals of Rhomaar die when they reach a height of 90 cm.
In addition, the scientists suspect that different animals on the planet Rhomaar are growing at
the same rate. Select two other animals from the list to compare and contrast with your animal.
Prepare a poster and give an oral presentation of your findings regarding this hypothesis:
Some of the animals on Rhomaar are growing at the same rate.
Include the following information in your poster and presentation:
1. The names of the animals you studied, their growth rate, and their life span.
2. Ratios, unit rates, and/or proportions to justify your answer.
3. A table or a graph to show whether or not the hypothesis is correct.
4. An explanation about how the patterns in your table or graph show the growth rate of
each animal.
5. An explanation about whether or not the hypothesis is correct.
Math Grade 7: Animals of Rhomaar
Page 5