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During the Hot Air Balloon unit students use a hot air balloon and vertical number line to develop a conceptual understanding of addition and subtraction of integers. Students evaluate expressions involving addition, subtraction, positive and negative numbers using their balloon and vertical number without memorizing rules. During the unit students complete half 8 1/2 by 11 pages, all templetes are included. The pages can be compiled into a booklet.
The Preview shows sample pages of a student's finished unit.
I introduced integers using this analogy and I am thrilled with the conceptual understanding. I like that I can use this strategy for addition and subtraction. Thanks for sharing this great teaching method.
January 31, 2012
Bless your heart for providing FOR FREE such a detailed, well thought out unit on such an abstract concept that my special ed students are sure to grasp! Many, many thanks for sharing your hard work with the rest of us!
January 29, 2011
Susan, This is fantastic! You should add your TpT store website to the last pages of your products. :) I have teachers return to my store site because I add mine to each product I sell. :)
September 6, 2010
Absolutely brilliant way to conceptualize the addition and subtraction of integers. Very well-designed and ready to go. Thanks!
September 6, 2010
I used this with my Math 7 resource students and they loved it! I gave them a number line and a cut out hot air balloon instead of having them draw it. I would upload those to this one also.
March 4, 2010
I used this for my Algebra I--Part 1 students (22 were special ed in one class). They had a great time and was able to see the rules of integers in action. They had great results on their operations of integers tests.
August 6, 2008
I haven't taught addition and subtraction of pos. and neg. numbers yet this year, but it will be coming up soon. I'm looking forward to trying this.
February 5, 2007
Ecxellent lesson for Pre Algebra students. Students responded well with this unit and had fun making drawings of hot air ballons and learned how the balloons go up or down by adding and subtracting integers.
August 14, 2006
Hi Susan,
I certainly like your Hot Air Balloon Unit for introducing addition and subtraction of integers, but have you found that the students see the 0 as 'ground' and say that a balloon can't go below ground level (ie into the negative numbers)? I'm teaching year 8 students with mixed ability classes in Australia.
Kind regards,
Pamela
January 18, 2010
Hi Pamela,
I use the Grand Canyon as an example. If they are standing on the top of the Grand Canyon, the hot air balloon can go up or it can go down into the canyon and I represent it on the board. Normally after that representation, I don't get that concern any more.
Hope this helps,
Susan
January 20, 2010
I am a Intermediate Math Curriculum Specialist for nine middles schools in Santa Ana, CA. For the past 15 years I have taught Pre-Algebra to seventh and eighth grade Limited English Proficient and low math skills students. In addition, I have provided countless hours of staff development to middle school math and upper elementary teachers.
