Positive Moves Only

Curriculum Overview and Standards

Subject Area: Physical Education with Integration of Mathematical Concepts
Grade Level: 7-8 (Ages 12-14)
US Education Standards:

• NASPE Standard 2: Applies knowledge of concepts, principles, strategies, and tactics related to movement and performance.
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.NS.A.1: Apply and extend previous understandings of addition and subtraction to add and subtract integers.
• CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP2: Reason abstractly and quantitatively.

This lesson integrates Physical Education and Mathematics by teaching students to practice adding integers through an active, hands-on approach. The lesson incorporates movement, social interaction, and critical thinking to enhance learning.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of this 45-minute lesson, students will:

1. Demonstrate understanding of adding integers using a number line.
2. Apply math skills (integer addition) during physical activities.
3. Improve cooperation, communication, and physical movement efficiency during group-based tasks.

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Materials Needed

• Number Line Mats: Roll-out mats with large number lines (-10 to 10) marked. Perfect for standing and jumping.
• Rear Tags: Double-sided numbered tags (+3, -5, etc.) students can wear or clip to their shirts.
• Floor Cones: To mark boundaries for activities.
• Dry Erase Board and Marker (for group collaborative problem-solving).
• Stopwatch or timer.
• Small beanbags (for additional activities).

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Lesson Structure

Warm-Up (5 Minutes)

1. Dynamic Group Warm-Up:

   • Lead students in a quick energizing warm-up (light jogging in place, arm circles, jumping jacks).
   • Finish with a round of “math shouts” — call out math facts (like “What is 2 + 3?”), and students answer as loudly as they can while jogging.

2. Number Visualizing:

   • Quickly review adding integers using a number line on a demonstration poster.
   • Contextualize using real-world examples (e.g., “What if you owed $3 (-3) but earned $2 (+2)? Where do you end up on a number line?”).

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Activity 1: Integer Hopscotch (15 Minutes)

Objective: Practice addition of integers while improving agility.

1. Set-Up:

   • Lay out Number Line Mats prominently in the room. One student works on each mat while others cheer or assist.
   • Use a spinner or randomly assigned Rear Tags for integers (e.g., -3, +5).

2. How to Play:

   • Each student starts standing at "0" on their number line mat.
   • Another student announces or assigns the first integer. The starting student "jumps" the correct number of spaces backward or forward.
   • Announce a second integer for the same player, and they must jump again from their new position, calculating the sum mentally. For example:
     • Start at 0. First number: +2 (jump forward 2 spaces). Second number: -4 (jump backward 4 spaces). Where are you now? Answer: -2.
   • Repeat until all students have rotated through.
     Challenge: Time each player for faster, more accurate movements.

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Activity 2: Beanbag Integer Toss (15 Minutes)

Objective: Translate mathematical concepts of addition into teamwork-based activities.

1. Set-Up:

   • Scatter beanbags labeled with integers (positive and negative numbers) across the floor within a designated boundary.
   • Place cones or markers to create three team point zones: (-10, 0, +10).

2. How to Play:

   • Each student will be tasked with collecting two beanbags, one at a time, and carrying them to a cone zone.
   • After retrieving the beanbags, the student must calculate the sum of the integers on their beanbags (e.g., they select +3 and -7: total = -4).
   • Once the sum is accurate, they carry the beanbags to the correct corresponding zone.
   • Rotate roles (retrieving, checking answers, guiding) for all four students.

3. Reflection Challenge:

   • After all beanbags have been sorted, combine the integers from one zone to find the overall total. Discuss group findings.

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Cool-down and Reflection (10 Minutes)

1. Stretch Out:
   Lead a short cool-down focused on breathing and static stretching.

2. Number Line Collaboration:

   • Write down challenge problems (e.g., +4 + (-6), -2 + 9, -5 + (-3)) on a dry-erase board.
   • Students work together to solve as a team using one set of Number Line Mats. Encourage discussion about the approach.

3. Connecting to Daily Life:

   • Briefly discuss the role of adding positives and negatives in the real world (e.g., sports scores, temperature changes).
   • Ask students what strategies they found most helpful when solving these problems.

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Assessment and Homework

• On-the-Spot Assessment: Observe participation, movement accuracy, and integer problem-solving skills. Provide verbal feedback on technique and collaboration.
• Exit Ticket: Before leaving, each student must solve a quick integer problem (verbally or on paper). Ensure that all students add integers correctly.
• Optional Homework: Give students real-world integer scenarios to practice (e.g., elevation levels above and below sea level, gains/losses in a game score).

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Teacher Notes

• Offer plenty of encouragement if the math feels tricky at first. Relate calculations to physical actions to make understanding more natural.
• Keep activities fast-paced and ensure all students are engaged at all times to maintain focus in this small group.
• Consider using music to energize the setting for movement-based activities.

This synergy of Physical Education and Math ensures students are learning while staying active, creating a lesson that leaves the students moving, laughing, and thinking critically!