MAFS.1.OA.4.7Archived Standard

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Understand the meaning of the equal sign, and determine if equations involving addition and subtraction are true or false. For example, which of the following equations are true and which are false? 6 = 6, 7 = 8 – 1, 5 + 2 = 2 + 5, 4 + 1 = 5 + 2.
General Information
Subject Area: Mathematics
Grade: 1
Domain-Subdomain: Operations and Algebraic Thinking
Cluster: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts
Cluster: Work with addition and subtraction equations. (Major Cluster) -

Clusters should not be sorted from Major to Supporting and then taught in that order. To do so would strip the coherence of the mathematical ideas and miss the opportunity to enhance the major work of the grade with the supporting clusters.

Date Adopted or Revised: 02/14
Content Complexity Rating: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 02/14
Status: State Board Approved - Archived

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
5012030: Grade One Mathematics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
7712020: Access Mathematics Grade 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
5012005: Foundational Skills in Mathematics K-2 (Specifically in versions: 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Formative Assessments

Is the Equation True or False?:

Students are given sets of equations and asked to circle the equations that are true.

Type: Formative Assessment

More True and False Equations:

Students are given a set of equations and asked to circle the equations that are true.

Type: Formative Assessment

True or Not True:

Students examine four equations and state if they are true or not true. Students must also justify their reasoning.

Type: Formative Assessment

Equality:

Students are asked to justify why two equations are true using two different strategies.

Type: Formative Assessment

Equal or Not Equal:

The student determines if a given equation is true or false.

Type: Formative Assessment

Lesson Plans

Show It Another Way:

In this lesson, students will apply properties of addition in order to add three whole numbers. Students will then decompose the sum using tens and ones.

Type: Lesson Plan

Make Mine Equal:

Students will explore the meaning of the equal sign by creating and completing equations that have two addends on each side of the equation. Note that this lesson focuses on addition equations, though it can easily be adapted to include subtraction equations.

Type: Lesson Plan

Weigh your options!:

Students will explore the meaning of the equal sign by representing an equation with manipulatives on a scale. The students will be asked to decide if an addition or subtraction equation is true or false by proving it with and without a scale. Students will determine the missing number in addition or subtraction equations.

Type: Lesson Plan

Balancing Equations:

This is an engaging, hands-on lesson to help the students understand the meaning of the equal sign. The lesson is written using a pan/equal arm balance but may be done with just connecting cubes.

Type: Lesson Plan

Understanding the Equal Sign:

This lesson helps students to understand the meaning of the equal sign and to realize that one side of an equation must equal (balance) the other side of the equation.

Type: Lesson Plan

Dangerous Doubles (Doubling Numbers):

This lesson teaches students to use the strategy doubling numbers and doubles plus or minus one in order to use mental math to add one-digit numbers. The students are engaged in learning through the read-aloud of "Double the Ducks" by Stephen Murphy and then get to work with a partner to draw doubles and write equations that relate to their drawings. Students individually work on solving word problems using these strategies and manipulatives as necessary to solve.

Type: Lesson Plan

True or False?:

In this lesson, students will explore true and false addition and subtraction equations through a variety of hands-on learning activities. Detailed center ideas are also covered in this lesson.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorial

Teams with the Same Amount:

Learn how to tell whether an equation is true or false based on what you know about the equal sign as you complete this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Problem-Solving Tasks

Equality Number Sentences:

The purpose of this instructional task is for students to help students understand the meaning of the equal sign and to use it appropriately. The idea is that students should be comparing the number of circles in each of the rectangles and to write an equation that reflects the fact there are an equal number in each of the boxes (when this is the case).

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Valid Equalities?:

The purpose of this task is to help broaden and deepen students' understanding of the equals sign and equality. This task helps students attend to precision by helping them explicitly attend to the meaning of mathematical notation and carefully analyze whether it is being used correctly.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Using lengths to represent equality:

The act of trying to find equal lengths with the rods helps students develop a physical understanding for the meaning of equality. Students are more likely to generate and understand complex equalities than they would be able to do only abstractly.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Virtual Manipulative

Pan Balance - Numbers:

This tool helps students better understand that equality is a relationship and not an operational command to "find the answer." The applet features a pan balance that allows the student to input each half of an equation in the pans, which responds to the numerical expression's value by raising, lowering or balancing.

Type: Virtual Manipulative

MFAS Formative Assessments

Equal or Not Equal:

The student determines if a given equation is true or false.

Equality:

Students are asked to justify why two equations are true using two different strategies.

Is the Equation True or False?:

Students are given sets of equations and asked to circle the equations that are true.

More True and False Equations:

Students are given a set of equations and asked to circle the equations that are true.

True or Not True:

Students examine four equations and state if they are true or not true. Students must also justify their reasoning.

Original Student Tutorials Mathematics - Grades K-5

Teams with the Same Amount:

Learn how to tell whether an equation is true or false based on what you know about the equal sign as you complete this interactive tutorial.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorial

Teams with the Same Amount:

Learn how to tell whether an equation is true or false based on what you know about the equal sign as you complete this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Problem-Solving Tasks

Equality Number Sentences:

The purpose of this instructional task is for students to help students understand the meaning of the equal sign and to use it appropriately. The idea is that students should be comparing the number of circles in each of the rectangles and to write an equation that reflects the fact there are an equal number in each of the boxes (when this is the case).

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Valid Equalities?:

The purpose of this task is to help broaden and deepen students' understanding of the equals sign and equality. This task helps students attend to precision by helping them explicitly attend to the meaning of mathematical notation and carefully analyze whether it is being used correctly.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Virtual Manipulative

Pan Balance - Numbers:

This tool helps students better understand that equality is a relationship and not an operational command to "find the answer." The applet features a pan balance that allows the student to input each half of an equation in the pans, which responds to the numerical expression's value by raising, lowering or balancing.

Type: Virtual Manipulative

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Problem-Solving Tasks

Equality Number Sentences:

The purpose of this instructional task is for students to help students understand the meaning of the equal sign and to use it appropriately. The idea is that students should be comparing the number of circles in each of the rectangles and to write an equation that reflects the fact there are an equal number in each of the boxes (when this is the case).

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Valid Equalities?:

The purpose of this task is to help broaden and deepen students' understanding of the equals sign and equality. This task helps students attend to precision by helping them explicitly attend to the meaning of mathematical notation and carefully analyze whether it is being used correctly.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Using lengths to represent equality:

The act of trying to find equal lengths with the rods helps students develop a physical understanding for the meaning of equality. Students are more likely to generate and understand complex equalities than they would be able to do only abstractly.

Type: Problem-Solving Task