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6th Grade Understanding Integer Games

Integers are positive and negative whole, natural numbers. As students begin to learn more complex math concepts, they must be able to distinguish integers from numbers that contain fractions and decimals. Understanding this new mathematical idea can be challenging, but making games that help students identify integers is a creative way to reinforce the concept and positively impact students' learning.
  1. Twenty-second Sort

    • In this game students are in two groups, and one student from each group will compete in each round. The competing students get 10 cards with positive and negative integers, fractions and decimal numbers on them. They will have 20 seconds to put the integers in order from negative to positive and eliminate all of the non-integer numbers. If the students beat the timer and correctly organize the numbers, they earn a point for their team.

    Summing up Integers

    • This game requires students to produce integers by adding non-integer numbers. Students play this game in groups of five and get five cards, each containing a decimal number. The first student puts down a card, and each student must try to create an integer by putting down a card that, when added to the original card, equals a whole number. Any student who creates an integer gets a point. If no student has a number that creates an integer when added to the original card, students will go clockwise, putting down a card and drawing a new card on each turn. The number on each card will be added to the last until an integer is made.

    Integer Bingo

    • Students can only place chips on numbers that are integers.

      Students will receive a bingo-style card with the word "integer" at the top and numbers 1 to 10 down the left side. Each square on the grid will have an integer or a non-integer number in it. The teacher will read a letter-number combination such as I-9. The student can place a chip on that section only if the number occupying that square is an integer. If a student completes a horizontal, vertical or diagonal row, he calls bingo and wins the game.

    Directional Derby

    • According to the Math League website, "Integers are useful in comparing a direction associated with certain events." In this game, students work with the directional aspect of integers as they compete in teams to solve word problems. The teacher reads a word problem, and the teams must account for positive and negative integers to determine the final answer. For example, the problem may say Jane left her house and went positive 10 miles to the store, negative 6 miles to the bank, and positive 8 miles to the gas station; how far is Jane from her house? The team that produces the correct answer the fastest wins that round.

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