Express the value of the number 7 by using addition facts: 1 + 6 = 7; 2+ 5 = 7; and 3 + 4 = 7. Then demonstrate that addition is commutative so that 4 + 3 = 7; 5 + 2 = 7; and 6 + 1 = 7. Students might also show their understanding of the value of 7 as they use addition in word problems. "James has three pennies, and he finds four more pennies as he is walking home from school. How much money does he have?"
Derive the number 7 as the difference when a -- b = 7. For example 100 -- 93 = 7; 99 -- 92 = 7; and 10 -- 3 = 7. Additionally, students can problem-solve for the value of 7 with word problems, "Sam had 15 baseball cards, but he gave three to Bill and five to Maggie. How many baseball cards does Sam have left?"
Challenge students to use multiplication, division and fractions to express the value of 7: 49 ÷ 7; (5 x 12)/10; (4 x 21)/12 . After students have demonstrated their understanding of this concept, encourage them to find the value of 7 by creating fractions from the formula, ((a x b))/c. Incorporate these functions for the value of 7 in word problems as well., "Mom wants to purchase cookie dough from the school's fundraiser as she needs to bake seven dozen cookies for her civic club. Each container of cookie dough yields 21 cookies. If she buys four containers, will she have enough?"
Challenge the young learner to use critical thinking to express the value of 7 by building equations from prime numbers, or numbers that can be divided only by 1 and itself:. Seven is expressed in these equations: 2 + 5 = 7; 2 + 2 + 3 = 7; 17 - 7 - 3 = 7; 19 - 7 - 3 - 2 = 7 and 23 - 19 + 3 = 7. Encourage students to use multiplication and division for their equation building as well: (7 x 3) - (2 x 7) = 7 and 23 - [(2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2) / 2] = 7.