7b. Write, interpret, and explain statements of order for rational numbers in real-world contexts. For example, write -3 °C > -7 °C to express the fact that -3 °C is warmer than -7 °C.

This standard isn't too complicated to understand. We're expecting students to write, interpret, and explain inequality statements for particular contexts. Pretty straightforward, right?

If students still rely on their trusty number lines to write and interpret inequality statements, that's perfectly fine. Doing so should help them remember that a number with a greater magnitude isn't always the greater number! Don't be shy about including fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals in here, too.

Finally, don't forget that context plays an important role in this standard. (And in, well, all of math, really.) It's one thing to say that -7 °C is less than -3 °C and another to say that -7 °C is colder than -3 °C. Students need to know exactly what numbers mean within their contexts—with negative numbers, especially.