Integer Signals Activity
Math Operations • Key Words
Integer Signals Activity
NAME:
DATE:
PERIOD:
Mission: Cut out the 24 clue tiles from Page 2. Sort and paste each tile into its matching Operation Zone below (4 key terms + 2 real-world scenarios per zone).
24 Tiles Total
Addition Zone
Combine / Gain
[ Paste Key Term ]
[ Paste Key Term ]
[ Paste Key Term ]
[ Paste Key Term ]
[ Paste Scenario Clue ]
[ Paste Scenario Clue ]
−
Subtraction Zone
Difference / Drop
[ Paste Key Term ]
[ Paste Key Term ]
[ Paste Key Term ]
[ Paste Key Term ]
[ Paste Scenario Clue ]
[ Paste Scenario Clue ]
×
Multiplication Zone
Product / Rate
[ Paste Key Term ]
[ Paste Key Term ]
[ Paste Key Term ]
[ Paste Key Term ]
[ Paste Scenario Clue ]
[ Paste Scenario Clue ]
÷
Division Zone
Quotient / Equal Share
[ Paste Key Term ]
[ Paste Key Term ]
[ Paste Key Term ]
[ Paste Key Term ]
[ Paste Scenario Clue ]
[ Paste Scenario Clue ]
Detective Check • Identify the Target Operation
Use the Word Bank below
Word Bank: Choose the operation that solves each problem:
Addition (+) Subtraction (−) Multiplication (×) Division (÷)
- A drone starts at 240 ft and climbs 150 ft higher.
- Sharing 96 art markers equally among 8 tables.
- Finding how much taller an 82 in tree is than a 54 in tree.
- Combining saved birthday cash of $45 with $35 allowance.
- Buying 5 identical books that cost $12 each.
- A car travels 280 miles in 4 hours; find the hourly speed.
Integer Signals • Cut-Out Sheet
Carefully cut along dashed lines. Mix, sort, and paste onto Page 1.
Page 2 of 2
Key Word & Phrase Clues (16 Tiles) 4 tiles per operation
Deposit / Increase Adding Value To Balance
Difference Between Comparing Two Amounts
Rate Per Hour Constant Unit Growth
Shared Equally Divided Among A Group
Deducted / Spent Removed From Total
Combined Total Sum Of All Quantities
Split Into Equal Parts Partitioning A Total
Tripled / Three Times Scaling By Factor 3
Repeated Batches Equal Groups Combined
Withdrawal / Decrease Taking Away An Amount
Gain / Elevation Rise Climbing / Adding Height
Average Per Unit Total Divided By Units
Sum of Values Direct Addition Result
Product of Factors Direct Multiplication Result
Quotient of Numbers Direct Division Result
Decreased By / Minus Subtracting A Quantity
Real-World Scenario Clues (8 Tiles) 2 scenarios per operation
Hot air balloon at 320 ft climbs 145 ft higher.
Find the difference between a high of 85°F and low of 62°F.
A runner maintains a pace of 5 miles per hour for 3 hours.
Four friends evenly split a shared dinner bill of $160.
A baker had 28 cupcakes and baked 36 more cupcakes.
An elevator travels from floor 18 down 7 floors to lobby.
A student saves $25 in a piggy bank each month for 6 months.
A hiking route of 24 miles is completed evenly over 6 days.
Cut here & glue bottom guide into notebook
Interactive Notebook Insert • Operation Clue Words & Symbol Guide
Keep in Math Journal
Combining quantities into a single total or finding a gain.
Key Clues: Sum, Plus, In All, Combined, Total, Deposit, Climb, Gain, Increased by
− Subtraction (Difference & Compare)
Taking away, comparing two quantities, or finding how much more.
Key Clues: Difference, Minus, Less Than, Decreased by, Fewer, Deducted, Fell, How Much More
× Multiplication (Equal Groups & Rates)
Repeated addition of equal groups, batches, or constant rates.
Key Clues: Product, Times, Each, Per, Twice/Double, Tripled, In Each Group, At a Rate of
÷ Division (Equal Sharing & Partitioning)
Splitting a total amount equally or finding a unit rate.
Key Clues: Quotient, Divided by, Split Equally, Shared Evenly, Cut into Equal Parts, Per Person
Operation Signals Slides
Math Operations Masterclass
Pre-Activity Briefing
Clue Detection & Word Problems
Operation Signals
How to decode key words and real-world actions for Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division.
Today's Mission: Identify the hidden mathematical actions in word problems before calculating anything.
The Core Four
What Action is Happening?
Every math word problem describes one of four fundamental actions:
Addition
Combine & Gain
Joining groups together or increasing value into a single total.
Clue: "Total", "Climb"
−
Subtraction
Compare & Deduct
Finding the difference between two values or taking an amount away.
Clue: "Difference", "Drop"
×
Multiply
Equal Groups & Rates
Repeating the exact same quantity across multiple units or time.
Clue: "Each", "Per Hour"
÷
Division
Equal Sharing
Splitting an entire total into equal portions or finding a unit rate.
Clue: "Split", "Shared"
Always ask yourself: "Is something combining, comparing, repeating, or splitting?"
Comparison Lab
Combining vs. Comparing
Both involve quantities, but their directional actions are opposite!
Addition
Combine & Grow
Top Key Word Clues:
Sum Total Combined Deposit Climb / Ascend
Real-World Scenario:
"A hot air balloon at 320 ft climbs 145 ft higher."
−
Subtraction
Difference & Drop
Top Key Word Clues:
Difference Minus Fewer Than Deducted How Much More
Real-World Scenario:
"Find the difference between a high of 85°F and low of 62°F."
💡 Pro Tip: Look for comparison words! "How much taller?" or "How much faster?" always signals subtraction.
Comparison Lab
Equal Groups vs. Equal Sharing
Both deal with equal amounts, but one scales up while the other partitions!
×
Multiply
Repeated Groups
Top Key Word Clues:
Product Each Per Hour Twice / Tripled Every Day
