7 Fun Activities for Teaching Integers


7 Fun Activities for Teaching Integers


Integers seem to follow students as they move through middle school to high school. Especially with adding and subtracting integers, the "rules" are vague, and students really need to develop a conceptual understanding of what's going on when working with these tricky numbers. In this post are a bunch of integer activities that will help foster deeper understanding or integers while also being fun. 

Whether you're introducing the concept of integers or looking to reinforce student understanding, the activities in this post have you covered.


1. Adding Integers Puzzles: These interactive puzzles turn integer addition into an exciting challenge, encouraging students to think critically and solve problems in a creative way.



2. Multiplying and Dividing Integers Math Pennant Activity: Math pennants are a fun way to combine student work with classroom décor. Students solve 3 integer multiplication or division problems on each pennant to show what they know. Their finished work becomes a student work display.



3. Adding and Subtracting Integers Solve 'n Check Tasks: These math task cards are self-checking, even in their print form. Students add and subtract integers, then check their answers against each card's check number. If the number matches their answer, chances are they solved the card's problems correctly. Read more about solve 'n check tasks.



4. Adding and Subtracting Integers Partner Scavenger Hunt: Each partner's problems are different but their answers are the same, encouraging collaboration and math talk. Read more about partner scavenger hunts.



5. Ordering Integers Math Pennant Activity: Students cut and paste their pennant's 4 integers in order, then decorate their pennants to become a student-created math classroom display.



6. Adding and Subtracting Integers Math Pennant Activity: Students love seeing their work displayed. Like the other math pennants above, this one for adding and subtracting integers doubles as student-created math classroom décor.  



7. Integer Operations Manipulative: Originally developed as part of my graduate thesis, this integer operations manipulative makes negative numbers concrete and helps students make sense of adding and subtracting integers. Teachers often print and laminate them so that students can mark them with dry erase markers while working. Read more about this manipulative and my thesis.



8. Adding and Subtracting Integers Digital Math Escape Room: This escape room's answer-validated Google Form requires students to correctly enter each puzzle's code before moving on. Questions are grouped 4 per puzzle, resulting in five 4-letter codes that will unlock all 5 locks. Read more about digital math escape rooms.











Integers come up all throughout middle and high school while solving equations, factoring quadratics, and simplifying expressions, so it's good if students enjoy working with them. I hope your students find the activities from this post fun and engaging, and that they help your students master integers this year!






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