Use negative numbers in context, and calculate intervals across 0
Use negative numbers in context, and calculate intervals across 0.
The National curriculum in England: mathematics programmes of study, Key Stages 1–3 outcome (Number and place value) for Year 6 says: “Use negative numbers in context, and calculate intervals across 0.” This Fieldbook unit teaches it hands-on, with everyday materials and a printable teacher guide and student sheet for every lesson. Official wording: National curriculum in England: mathematics programmes of study, Key Stages 1–3.
Below Zero: Integers in the Real World Grades 6–7
How cold can ice get? Is the bottom of the ocean further from sea level than the top of Everest? How did a town warm up 27 degrees in two minutes? Can a lemonade stand that sold $64 end up in the red? Four lessons on integers with real temperatures, elevations and money.
- How much did the temperature change? 50–60 min
Teams play a temperature-swing dice game on a thermometer number line and model each move with two-colour counters, then work out real record swings, including a town where the temperature rose 27 degrees in two minutes. Students add and subtract integers, explain zero pairs, and discover why subtracting a negative number makes the answer bigger.
- Are we in the red? 50–60 min
Teams keep the books for a class lemonade stand, tracking every purchase, sale, fee and refund as a positive or negative integer. They find that a stand that took in $64 still ended $3 in the red, then plan how to break even. Students add and subtract integers in a real context, including subtracting a negative, and explain a balance with zero pairs.
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