About the
Positive and Negative Numbers- An Introduction with Addition and Money
Lesson

Summary
Students will be introduced to positive and negative numbers and money.

Lesson Objectives
• Students will have an understanding of positive and negative numbers as it pertains to money.
•
Students will practice adding together amounts of money to determine both gains and losses.
•
Students will demonstrate their understanding through class activities and worksheet problems.

Suggested Grades
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
9th Grade
Lesson Excerpt
I. Introduction of the Concept
- Begin by telling students that today we are going to be learning about positive and negative numbers.
- Brainstorm on the blackboard.
- Ask, “What do we mean by positive numbers?”
- Ask, “What do we mean by negative numbers?”
Teacher Notes: Write student responses on the board.
Use the negative symbol (-) when writing student examples that are negative. This introduces the symbol to the students right away.
You are looking for students to have a general understanding that positive numbers indicate a gain of some kind (could be football yards or temperature), and that negative numbers indicate a loss or decrease (temperature again “below zero” or football penalty- loss of yards).
Be sure this is clear before moving on.
II. Connect Positive and Negative Numbers to Money
Continued...