How did you learn to add and subtract integers? Were you just told the rule and applied it?
Our Seventh graders were able to discover for themselves the rules for working with integers by “playing “ with algebra tiles! Who said play is only for the younger grades?
Seventh graders used algebra tiles to model, explore, and discover how to add and subtract positive and negative numbers.Through the use of these simple red and yellow tiles, students were able to come up with the rules for adding and subtracting integers. Since they are able to visualize the concept, they are more likely to retain it long term. This is so important because we know that math skills build on one another.
What happens when you pair up a yellow and a red algebra tile? A zero pair of course! Why? A red tile represents negative one and a yellow tile represents positive one. -1 + 1 = 0
This simple concept of zero pairs, made it so easy to comprehend how to add and subtract integers.
It was so amazing to watch students model the math problems and come up with the answers with ease. When asked, “what is the rule for adding integers?, it was great to hear and read their explanations. No, not every student expressed the rules in the exact same manner, but they expressed it in terms that made sense to them! When a student is able to explain, it means they truly understand. That is what we want, for students to understand!
