Integer Shift Practice Sheet
Visual Math Workshop
Integer Shift Practice Sheet
Name:
Date:
★
Strategy: Keep • Change • Change (Add the Opposite)
Subtracting is the same as adding the opposite!
1. KEEP First Number Leave exact sign & value
2. CHANGE Minus (−) to Plus (+) Turn subtraction into addition
3. CHANGE Second Number Flip to its opposite sign
Model:
3 − 5 becomes 3 + (-5) = -2
Start at 3, jump left 5
1 4 − 7 = ____
Rewrite as addition:
=
Number Line:
-8-6-4-2 0 2468
2 -2 − 4 = ____
Rewrite as addition:
=
Number Line:
-8-6-4-2 0 2468
3 3 − (-3) = ____
Rewrite as addition:
=
Number Line:
-8-6-4-2 0 2468
Mid-Point Check-In: How do you feel about Keep-Change-Change?
Got it! 😊 Almost there 😐 Need help 🙋
2
Independent Shift & Word Challenge
Remember: Keep • Change (+) • Opposite
4 -5 − (-2) = ____
Rewrite as addition:
=
Number Line:
-8-6-4-2 0 2468
5 1 − 6 = ____
Rewrite as addition:
=
Number Line:
-8-6-4-2 0 2468
6
Real-World Scenario: Cold Weather
The morning temperature was -1°F. By noon, the temperature dropped 6°F. What was the noon temperature?
Equation to solve: -1 − 6
Rewrite with Keep • Change • Change:
=
Final Answer with Units:
°F
Number Line:
-8-6-4-2 0 2468
Final Self-Assessment & Reflection
Confidence: 🌟 Star Pro 👍 Getting It 🤝 Need Practice
My key rule for subtraction:
Integer Shift Answer Key
Teacher Answer Key & Guide IEP Accommodations Focus
Integer Shift Answer Key
Grade Band: 6–8 Math FULL SOLUTIONS
Key Rule: \( a - b = a + (-b) \)
1. Keep 1st sign • 2. Change (−) to (+) • 3. Flip 2nd sign to opposite
1 4 − 7 = -3
Addition Rewrite:
4 + -7 = -3
← Jump left 7 -8-6-4-3-2 0 2468
Teacher Note: Prompt students to identify that 7 is larger than 4, so jumping left past 0 will land in negative territory.
2 -2 − 4 = -6
Addition Rewrite:
-2 + -4 = -6
← Jump left 4 -8-6-4-2 0 2468
Teacher Note: Both numbers are negative. Emphasize that adding a negative is digging deeper into the negative side (away from 0).
3 3 − (-3) = 6
Addition Rewrite:
3 + 3 = 6
Jump right 3 → -8-6-4-2 0 23468
Teacher Note (High IEP Error Zone): "Subtracting a negative" often confuses students. Reinforce that removing cold makes things warmer (move right).
Check-In Action: If student checked "Need Help" or "Almost There", verify if error is in rewriting signs or moving on the number line.
Page 1 of 2
✓
Page 2 Answer Key & Word Problem Model
Target Standard: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.NS.A.1
4 -5 − (-2) = -3
Addition Rewrite:
-5 + 2 = -3
Jump right 2 → -8-6-5-3-2 0 2468
5 1 − 6 = -5
Addition Rewrite:
1 + -6 = -5
← Jump left 6 -8-6-5-2 0 12468
6
Real-World Scenario Solution
Initial: -1°F. Dropped by: 6°F.
Answer: -7°F
Correct Rewrite:
-1 + -6 = -7
Common Misconception: Watch for students writing \( 6 - 1 = 5^\circ\text{F} \) or \( -1 + 6 = 5^\circ\text{F} \).
← Temperature drops 6° (-6) -8-7-6-4-2-1 0 2468
IEP Quick Diagnostic & Intervention Strategies
Sign Confusion: Have students physically use two highlighter colors: one color for operation symbols and one for number signs.
Jump Direction: Prompt: "Positive means right / higher; negative means left / lower." Have students tap pencil on each tick mark.
Tactile Manipulative: For students needing concrete tools, provide two-sided counters (yellow = positive, red = negative) alongside the line.
