Give each student a long strip of white paper and ask them to create a number line. Show students how to fold the strip of paper in half. Explain that the halfway point is zero, and ask students to mark the spot accordingly. Next, encourage students to add in positive integers to the right of zero, and negative integers on the left. Use one color for the positive integers and another for negative integers. Ask students to locate positive and negative numbers on the number line.
Get students out of their seats for a lesson about integers. Cut positive and negative integers out of white card stock, including the positive and negative signs and the number zero. Give an integer and sign to each student. Hold zero and stand at the front of the class. Ask students to come and stand in their proper place in the number line as determined by their integer. Ask students to find their opposite integer: For example, the opposite integer of negative three is positive three.
Teach students about integers through a science experiment. Gather cups or bowls and fill them with water or ice of varying temperatures, from boiling to freezing. Draw a vertical number line and hang it on the wall. Ask students to record temperatures on the number line as you dip the thermometer into each bowl, using both positive and negative integers. Show students how to determine the difference in temperatures by using the number line to add or subtract.
Show students how integers can make it simple to balance a bank account. Give each student $10 in play money and ask students to use the number lines they made to mark how much money they have. Tell the class that they have to spend $5 on a new notebook for class, and ask them to subtract using the number line and mark the new integer. Ask students what will happen if they spend an additional $7, and ask them to mark the number line accordingly. Continue with the assignment, asking students to add and subtract both positive and negative integers.