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Join to Try Free Resources →7 Ways to Help Students Practice Adding & Subtracting Rational Numbers
by Ping · September 4, 2023
Back when I taught 7th grade, I remember students approaching me with a sense of dread about adding and subtracting rational numbers. They'd get overwhelmed, and honestly, who could blame them? We're talking about a jumble of integers, decimals, and fractions, all of which could be either positive or negative.
It's a lot for young minds to keep straight.
But mastering these rational number operations is a foundational skill that they will see over and over again in topics like equations and expressions in addition to being important in everyday life. Thankfully, there's no shortage of fun and interactive ways to help students grasp these important skills.
Here's my 7 favorite activities for teaching and practicing this.
On this page
- 1. Adding & Subtracting Rational Numbers Guided Notes
- 2. Adding & Subtracting Rational Numbers Pixel Art (Fall Themed)
- 3. Adding & Subtracting Rational Numbers Pixel Art (Winter Themed)
- 4. Adding & Subtracting Rational Numbers Doodle Math
- 5. Nearpod: Addition & Subtraction of Rational Numbers
- 6. Khan Academy: Adding & Subtracting Rational Numbers
- 7. MathGames.com: Add & Subtract Rational Numbers
- Save Money on Rational Numbers Activities
Want free resources?
Try a free sample of my digital & print resources—plus tips over email.
Join to Try Free Resources →1. Adding & Subtracting Rational Numbers Guided Notes
What is it?
No-prep, printable guided notes with real-life applications, plus color-by-number and maze practice sections. Pairs with the adding and subtracting lesson plans if you want the full walkthrough.
Why do I love this?
The color-by-number and maze sections double as next-day homework or in-class practice, so one purchase covers notes and practice.
2. Adding & Subtracting Rational Numbers Pixel Art (Fall Themed)
What is it?
Two autumn-themed, self-checking pixel art Google Sheets covering adding and subtracting rational numbers — built for review lessons, fast finishers, math centers, extra credit, or independent practice.
Why do I love this?
It's self-checking, so it works as a sub plan too — substitutes always thank me for leaving pixel art because the class manages itself.
3. Adding & Subtracting Rational Numbers Pixel Art (Winter Themed)
What is it?
The holiday-themed version of item 2 — perfect for Christmas, winter, or January, with each correct answer revealing part of a reindeer or gingerbread-house image.
Why do I love this?
Same self-checking format, but themed for the part of the year when you're actually teaching this unit if you cover it later.
4. Adding & Subtracting Rational Numbers Doodle Math
What is it?
A fresh twist on color-by-number/color-by-code — students unlock doodle patterns as they solve, across multiple levels. Zero-prep, printable.
Why do I love this?
Doodling + Math = Pure FUN! Just listen to what one teacher had to say about Doodle Math:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This was difficult for my accelerated students! I loved it and so did they! They found trying to doodle the drawing and win ‘the best doodler’ fun. Students were engaged with the math, but also with their creativity.” - Kay Y.
5. Nearpod: Addition & Subtraction of Rational Numbers
What is it?
Nearpod's interactive lesson on representing addition and subtraction on a number line, with immediate feedback built in.
Why do I love this?
It's always been a hit with my students — the interactive features make the number-line model click faster than a static worksheet does.
6. Khan Academy: Adding & Subtracting Rational Numbers
What is it?
Khan Academy's practice set — calculation problems with immediate feedback and progress tracking.
Why do I love this?
It's the fallback everyone already trusts, and students can repeat problems until the skill sticks.
7. MathGames.com: Add & Subtract Rational Numbers
What is it?
A game-format practice set covering rational-number addition and subtraction, including fractions and decimals.
Why do I love this?
The game framing gets buy-in from students who'd otherwise groan at “one more worksheet.”
Save Money on Rational Numbers Activities
I hope you found at least one activity you can use in your class.
P.S. For the best deal, grab the top 4 activities together. Click here.
Have a favorite that's not listed here? Email me — I'd love to connect.
Hi, I'm Ping!
I spent 7 years in the classroom working to make math fun and relevant in middle school, by integrating math, art, and technology. I started Congruent Math to share this all with you.