The Opposite of the Opposite

It's been a while since I've updated but currently my class is working with negative and positive integers/rational numbers.  In order to get my students to understand the concept that two negative signs create a positive sign (i.e. -(-3) = +3), I've decided to crank out the number line/coordinate plane! Unfortunately the coordinate plane I had last year got lost during the transition in moving from upstairs to downstairs, so I have to create a new one.

Below is a video of them ordering themselves from least to greatest after they understood that the opposite of an opposite is the equal to the number itself.

Unlike last year, many students have expressed interest in sharing their opinions on what math is like for them this year compared to last year. Now that there's a bit more time because of the holiday, I'll try to get to it by Wednesday!

Human Ordering Integers!

We have been working very hard lately on unit 3. This unit is about children beginning to understand negative and positive numbers as well as the contexts in which they play a role in the real world. Here is a short clip of one of the fun activities we've been doing recently in class (I must admit, even I've had a blast playing with the kids)!

Instead of having students order integers on a sheet of paper or on a worksheet, just grab a few index cards, think of your students and decide what integers/numbers you want them to order! This is really good for seeing where students are. Positive integers > positive decimals > positive fractions > negative integers > negative decimals > negative fractions. I've found that my students are good until we toss in those nasty decimals and fractions. Practice makes perfect. Eventually they get it, and this is fun for all!