Inquiring Minds:
"Why do you get a Positive Answer?"
My students had a hard time understanding why you get a positive answer when you subtract a negative in some situations.... for example 2 - -5 = 7. "Keep - Change - Change", just did not make sense to them (of course they used the K-C-C method and memorized it - but it just didn't make sense to them). I always remembered the rules and never questioned why this happens. I loved that some of my students (especially one) really wanted to know "why" and wanted eagerly to understand this situation.
Therefore, I explained the hot air balloon method of where the balloon rises as you throw out (minus) a negative load. Then recently thinking about it some more... I came up with the 'Ladder Method'. This integrates vertical graphing! WooHoo!! Integrating positives, negatives, graphing, and understanding. I know the students would really understand this method of subtracting negative integers. Below is a pictorial representation I drew explaining the method.
As seen in the visual representation above that I drew, the figure is on rung 2 with 5 negative bags and 2 + bags.... it can only go up 2 and the -5 bags are keeping you there.... if you subtract the 5 - bags then you can go up to rung 7 on the ladder. For every "-" bag removed the figure can go up one rung. Ev -9 - -5 = -4, the Ladder Method still works.... You would be standing on -9 rung of the ladder and release -5 bags, therefore, you can go up to -4.
I'm sure I'm not the first person to think of this idea or utilize this method with their class...yet enjoy that I came up with it too. Dedicated creative teaching minds work to create ways to teach our students! I hope this method assists you with teaching Positive & Negative Integers.
Learn more about the Positive & Negative Ladder Subtraction Product I created by clicking here.
Best Wishes, M Moore
Certified K-6, 6-9 math, and 6-9 science
TpT Store ~ https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Moore-Resources
Pinterest ~ https://www.pinterest.com/mooreeducresour/
Facebook ~ https://www.facebook.com/mooreeducationalresources
©2015 M Moore, M Moore Educational Resources. All rights reserved. Full Disclaimer.
____________________________________________________________________
"Why do you get a Positive Answer?"
My students had a hard time understanding why you get a positive answer when you subtract a negative in some situations.... for example 2 - -5 = 7. "Keep - Change - Change", just did not make sense to them (of course they used the K-C-C method and memorized it - but it just didn't make sense to them). I always remembered the rules and never questioned why this happens. I loved that some of my students (especially one) really wanted to know "why" and wanted eagerly to understand this situation.
Therefore, I explained the hot air balloon method of where the balloon rises as you throw out (minus) a negative load. Then recently thinking about it some more... I came up with the 'Ladder Method'. This integrates vertical graphing! WooHoo!! Integrating positives, negatives, graphing, and understanding. I know the students would really understand this method of subtracting negative integers. Below is a pictorial representation I drew explaining the method.
As seen in the visual representation above that I drew, the figure is on rung 2 with 5 negative bags and 2 + bags.... it can only go up 2 and the -5 bags are keeping you there.... if you subtract the 5 - bags then you can go up to rung 7 on the ladder. For every "-" bag removed the figure can go up one rung. Ev -9 - -5 = -4, the Ladder Method still works.... You would be standing on -9 rung of the ladder and release -5 bags, therefore, you can go up to -4.
I'm sure I'm not the first person to think of this idea or utilize this method with their class...yet enjoy that I came up with it too. Dedicated creative teaching minds work to create ways to teach our students! I hope this method assists you with teaching Positive & Negative Integers.
Learn more about the Positive & Negative Ladder Subtraction Product I created by clicking here.
Best Wishes, M Moore
Certified K-6, 6-9 math, and 6-9 science
TpT Store ~ https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Moore-Resources
Pinterest ~ https://www.pinterest.com/mooreeducresour/
Facebook ~ https://www.facebook.com/mooreeducationalresources
©2015 M Moore, M Moore Educational Resources. All rights reserved. Full Disclaimer.
____________________________________________________________________
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