Let’s face it, integer operations are an essential math skill. However, they can be incredibly difficult to truly cement into the brains of middle school and high school students. Think about it: students spend 6 or more years learning that 3 + 5 is always 8, no matter what. This fact, and other math facts like it, become engrained and automatic. But suddenly, near the start of seventh grade, we start to tell them that -3 + 5 isn’t 8. It can be frustrating and confusing! It takes a lot of time to unlearn the very math facts that elementary teachers push so hard, and most students require a lot of practice with these new integer skills. Here are my favorite ways to review and practice integer operations throughout the year!
Consistently Use Reference Sheets
Every year, I see students get confused between adding rules and multiplication rules for integer operations! Or, students struggle to remember that they should only use the Keep Change Change strategy with subtraction problems, and end up trying to use it with addition, multiplication, and division problems instead, giving them some confusing problems and strange answers! I love to give my students this Integer Rule page as we start to learn the rules for integer operations in 7th grade, or as we review them at the beginning of the year in 8th grade. I print them on colorful cardstock with a multiplication chart on the back, and have my students reference it all the time! I often tell them, “It takes two seconds to make sure you are doing it right!” since they often want to skip that step for time’s sake, but it will take them much longer to go back and redo it. I’ve seen this reference page help a lot of my students, and will continue to use it for years to come. Best of all, it’s free in my TPT store, so you can use it, too!
Daily Integer Warm-Ups
After your students learn the rules for integer operations, they should be using them daily! An easy way to ensure this in your classroom routine is to use a daily math warm-up. I like to include at least one addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problem for students to solve as they are waiting for class to start. I may also add in one or two problems from the current unit as students gain proficiency with integers. While these problems may seem easy, they are strengthening the connections in your students’ brains that will help them recall how to solve integer problems more easily next time!
Integer Escape Room Review
After returning from a break from school, I find that my students are especially rusty and need a review of integer operations! I love using this integer escape room to help review and remind students of integer rules. It’s also a nice independent activity for most students, which gives me time to catch up on what I need to do after a break! The unique challenges require students to solve integer problems to get a code, and it’s easily used in low-tech or only-tech classrooms! Grab this escape room activity here!
A Quick Classroom Routine!
I have gotten in the habit of asking students an integer question when they ask to leave the room during our independent work time. It’s another quick way to reinforce the skill and once students know the routine, they’ll remind themselves of the rules before they come and ask!
Engaging Practice with Pixel Art!
Pixel art activities are one of my favorite digital review activities! They are super engaging and really easy to assign! Students solve problems on a preprogrammed Google Sheet. If they are right, the answer box turns green and part of a mystery picture is revealed. It’s so easy as a teacher to see if students are getting answers right or wrong, and this no-prep activity is a great last-minute sub plan! My students love this Mario-themed activity that you can snag by clicking here!
What are your favorite strategies or tips for making integer operations stick? Let me know in the comments below!
