Grades 6–8: Cultivating Integer Fluency
Professional Learning Workshop
Cultivate knowledge for teaching operations with integers through modeling of authentic real-world scenarios using appropriate math tools.
Boost your integer knowledge
Investigate commonly used rules that impede the deeper conceptual understanding underlying fluency with integer operations. Model integer operations with number lines, two-color counters, and algebra tiles to develop procedural fluency.
Explore a key question during each segment of learning
How can we build on existing student understanding of addition and subtraction to develop their understanding of these operations with integers?
- Explain how to represent whole numbers in a variety of ways to support understanding of addition and subtraction.
- Make sense of and create authentic real-world contexts modeled with addition and subtraction.
- Articulate and apply strategies to transition from addition and subtraction with whole numbers to integers.
How can the meaning of addition and subtraction persist when we extend the number system to include integers?
- Explain integer addition and subtraction with the construct of zero pairs modeled with number lines and two-color counters (or algebra tiles).
- Develop students’ conceptual understanding of integer addition and subtraction using number lines and two-color counters (or algebra tiles).
- Teach integer addition and subtraction in authentic real-world contexts using number lines and two-color counters (or algebra tiles).
How does a conceptual understanding of integer addition and subtraction support fluency?
- Explain what it means to be fluent with integer addition and subtraction.
- Support students to build procedural fluency through a conceptual understanding of integer addition and subtraction.
- Provide authentic real-world contexts that create a need for adding and subtracting with integers.
How can we build on existing student understanding of multiplication and division to develop their understanding of these operations with integers?
- Explain how to represent whole numbers in a variety of ways to support understanding of multiplication and division.
- Make sense of and create authentic real-world contexts modeled with multiplication and division of integers.
- Articulate and apply strategies to transition from multiplication and division with whole numbers to integers.
How can the meaning of multiplication and division persist when we extend the number system to include integers?
- Use and explain integer multiplication and division modeled with number lines and two-color counters (or algebra tiles).
- Plan to develop students’ conceptual understanding of integer multiplication and division using number lines and two-color counters (or algebra tiles).
- Teach integer multiplication and division in authentic real-world contexts using number lines and two-color counters (or algebra tiles).
How does a conceptual understanding of integer multiplication and division support fluency?
- Explain what it means to be fluent with integer multiplication and division.
- Plan to support students to build procedural fluency through a conceptual understanding of integer multiplication and division.
- Provide authentic real-world contexts that create a need for multiplying and dividing with integers.
Designed with you in mind
This offering is divided into two 3-hour parts. It is recommended that the parts be completed in order, within a reasonable time frame. Your NWEA representative will help determine the best on-site or virtual delivery option to meet your needs.
On-site learning
Face-to-face session with a consultant
Virtual learning
Live instruction through our online portal