Integer Adventures: A Tale of Operations

7th Grade Project 1 week

Integer Adventures: A Tale of Operations

Marian D

7.NS.A.1

Self Directed Learning

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

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The Challenge

In this project, students will collaborate with Berkshire Bank to write a story that explores the real-world challenge of managing money using integer operations. They will engage in critical thinking to create narratives that demonstrate how adding and subtracting integers can impact financial decisions, reflecting on their own learning through peer and teacher feedback.

Standards

[Massachusetts] 7.NS.A.1 - Apply and extend previous understandings of addition and subtraction to add and subtract integers and other rational numbers; represent addition and subtraction on a horizontal or vertical number line diagram.

Competencies

Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.

Learning Partners and Clients

Students will collaborate with Berkshire Bank in Egremont, Massachusetts, to explore real-world applications of integer operations in money management. They will engage in a project where they write a story that involves financial scenarios, such as budgeting or balancing accounts, using addition and subtraction of integers. This partnership will provide students with insights into how mathematical concepts are used in banking and finance, allowing them to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in authentic contexts.

Phase Outcomes

Rubric

Competency Progression Rubric Competency-first rubric

Category	Learning Goal	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3	Stage 4
Deeper Learning Competencies	Self Directed Learning	I can actively seek feedback from my peers and teacher to improve my understanding of how adding and subtracting integers impact financial decisions, using a number line to visualize these operations and apply them to real-world money management scenarios	I can use feedback from my teacher and classmates to improve my understanding of adding and subtracting integers, and I can apply this knowledge to create a story that shows how these operations affect real-life financial decisions	I can effectively use teacher and peer feedback to improve my story about managing money with integers, showing I understand how adding and subtracting integers can influence financial decisions in real-life situations	I can confidently create a story that applies integer operations to real-world financial situations, using feedback from my peers and teachers to deepen my understanding and improve my narrative I actively seek out and incorporate feedback to enhance my story, demonstrating my ability to self-direct my learning journey in exploring how integer operations influence money management
Deeper Learning Competencies	Critical Thinking & Problem Solving	I can explore creative ways to use integer addition and subtraction to solve money management challenges, showing how these operations affect budgeting decisions by using number line diagrams to visualize changes in financial scenarios	I can use feedback from my peers and teacher to improve my story by clearly showing how adding and subtracting integers affects money management decisions, and can explain my thought process in solving these financial challenges	I can creatively integrate integer operations into my story by showing how adding and subtracting integers affects real-world financial decisions, using feedback from peers and teachers to enhance my narrative's depth and accuracy	I can thoughtfully analyze and creatively integrate integer operations into a compelling narrative that demonstrates a deep understanding of financial decision-making, incorporating peer and teacher feedback to refine my ideas and effectively communicate the importance of integer operations in real-world money management

Learning Journey

Discover

Students will explore real-world scenarios involving integer operations through immersive storytelling exercises, connecting these mathematical concepts to personal financial decisions and reflecting on their significance in everyday life.

Day 1