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Adding and Subtracting Integers Guided Notes & Doodles | Counters, Number Line
$4.25
Overview
Ever wondered how to teach adding and subtracting integers in an engaging way to your 7th and 8th grade students?
In this lesson plan, students will learn about adding and subtracting integers and their real-life applications. Through artistic, interactive guided notes, check for understanding, a practice color by code activity, and a maze worksheet, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of adding and subtracting integers.
The lesson culminates with a real-life example that explores how this math concept can be applied to tracking scores for games.
- Standards: CCSS 7.NS.A.1, CCSS 7.NS.A.1.c, CCSS 7.NS.A.1.d
- Unit: 7th Grade → Unit 1: Rational Numbers
- Grade: 7th Grade
Get the Lesson Materials
Adding and Subtracting Integers Guided Notes & Doodles | Counters, Number Line
$4.25
Learning Objectives
After this lesson, students will be able to:
Add and subtract integers using the algorithm
Add and subtract integers using counters
Add and subtract integers using number line diagrams
Apply the concepts of adding and subtracting integers to solve real-life math problems.
Prerequisites
Before this lesson, students should be familiar with:
Basic addition and subtraction of whole numbers
Absolute values of integers (if need refresher, check out integers, opposites, absolute value lesson)
Construct and plot integers on number lines
Materials
Pencils
Colored pencils or markers
Key Vocabulary
Integers
Algorithm
Counters
Number line
Absolute value
Zero pairs
Procedure
Introduction
As a hook, ask students why it is important to understand how to add and subtract integers. Refer to the real-life application of tracking scores for games on the last page of the guided notes as well as the FAQs below for ideas.
Use the first page of the guided notes to introduce the concept of adding integers using counters. Explain to students that they can use counters to visually represent positive and negative numbers and practice adding and subtracting them. Walk through the key points of adding and subtracting integers using counters, such as adding positive and negative numbers, and subtracting positive and negative numbers. Then, introduce the concept of adding integers using number line diagrams and algorithm.
After students have a chance to practice adding integers, pivot to subtracting integers. Using the third page of the guided notes, explain how to subtract integers using the algorithm, counters, and number line diagrams.
Based on student responses, reteach concepts that students need extra help with. If your class has a wide range of proficiency levels, you can pull out students for reteaching, and have more advanced students begin work on the practice exercises.
Practice
Have students practice adding and subtracting integers using the practice worksheets provided in the guided notes resource. Walk around the classroom to answer student questions and provide assistance as needed.
You can assign it as homework for the remainder of the class.
Real-Life Application
Bring the class back together, and introduce the concept of tracking scores for games as a real-life application of adding and subtracting integers. Explain to students that when playing games, scores can go up or down depending on performing an action that gains or loses points.
To further illustrate this concept, you can give examples of different games and how scores are tracked. For instance, adding or subtracting integers is used to calculate the player's score based in scrabble or monopoly.
Refer to the real life application section of the guided notes for more ideas on how to incorporate real-world applications into the discussion. Students will then brainstorm some real life application of integers on the last page of the guided notes resource.
Extensions
Additional Self-Checking Digital Practice
If you’re looking for digital practice for adding and subtracting integers, try my Pixel Art activities in Google Sheets. Every answer is automatically checked, and correct answers unlock parts of a mystery picture. It’s incredibly fun, and a powerful tool for differentiation.
Here are some activities to explore:
Adding and Subtracting Integers Using Number Lines Pixel Art
Adding and Subtracting Integers Digital Pixel Art | Word Problems (winter themed)
Adding and Subtracting Integers Digital Pixel Art | Calculations & Word Problems
Additional Print Practice
A fun, no-prep way to practice adding and subtracting integers is with Doodle Math — they’re a fresh take on color by number or color by code. It includes multiple levels of practice, perfect for a review day or sub plan.
Here are some activities to try:
FAQs
Integers are positive and negative whole numbers, including zero. They are used to represent quantities such as gain and loss, temperature, and positions.
To add integers, you can use the number line or the algorithm. On the number line, move to the right for positive numbers and to the left for negative numbers. The sum is found at the final position. With the algorithm, add the numbers as you normally would and remember to carry the sign.
Subtracting integers can be done using the number line or the algorithm. On the number line, move to the right for positive numbers and to the left for negative numbers. Then, find the difference at the final position. With the algorithm, subtract the numbers as you normally would and remember to carry the sign.
Counters are visual tools used to represent integers. They can be positive or negative, and each counter represents a unit. Counters are useful in adding and subtracting integers as they help students visualize the process and understand the concept of gain and loss.
Number lines are visual representations of numbers arranged in a line. They can be used to add and subtract integers by moving right for positive numbers and left for negative numbers. By using a number line, students can better visualize the process and understand the concept of direction.
The algorithm for adding and subtracting integers follows the rules of arithmetic. When adding integers with same signs, you add the absolute values of the numbers and carry the original sign. When adding integers with different signs, you subtract the absolute values of the numbers and keep the sign of the larger absolute value.
When subtracting integers, you rewrite the subtracting problem into an addition problem by adding its opposites. Then, you follow the same rules for adding integers.
You can practice adding and subtracting integers by using worksheets and activities that involve counters, number lines, and algorithms. These practice exercises help reinforce the concept and improve your skills in adding and subtracting integers.
One real-life application of adding and subtracting integers is tracking scores in a game. For example, if a team gains 10 points, it is represented by a positive integer, and if they lose 5 points, it is represented by a negative integer. By adding and subtracting integers, you can keep track of the team's overall score.
Zero pairs, also known as additive inverses or opposite integers, are pairs of integers that add up to zero. In other words, for any integer "a," its additive inverse, denoted as "-a," is the integer that, when added to "a," results in zero:
a + (-a) = 0
For example:
-3 + 3 = 0 5 + (-5) = 0
The absolute value of a number is a measure of its distance from zero on the number line, and it is always a non-negative (positive or zero) value.