CCSS.Math.Practice.MP7

MathGrades K–12Standards for Mathematical Practice

The Standard

Look for and make use of structure.

Common Core State Standards for Mathematics

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students notice useful groupings, repeated parts, symmetry, and number relationships. They reorganize an expression, diagram, shape, or data display so the solution becomes easier. They explain which feature they used and why it works.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can mark useful chunks, repeated parts, symmetry, or factor pairs in a problem. They can rewrite an expression or add a line to a diagram without changing the mathematics. They use the new view to calculate, solve, or justify an answer.
Common Misconceptions: Students may spot a visual pattern but not connect it to a calculation or proof. They may assume a pattern continues after checking only one or two cases. They may regroup terms incorrectly across subtraction, division, or exponents.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Give one problem from the lesson. Ask students to mark a useful grouping or repeated part, then use it to solve and explain one step.

Lesson moves

Give students tiles or pattern blocks to build two equivalent arrangements, then label the shared grouping or symmetry.
Post two solution methods and ask, "What structure does each method use, and which makes the work shorter?"
Play Structure Match: students pair expression, diagram, and rewritten form cards, then defend each match to a partner.
Use a grocery receipt or floor plan and have students group repeated costs or dimensions to calculate a total efficiently.

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