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Grade 7: Math with Dr. Hill and Mrs. Clarke

Seventh-grade mathematicians put some movement into their lesson on integers with an outdoor activity.
First, they drew a chalk number line from -20 to 20 at intervals of 1, marking zero in the middle. Then they listened carefully to math equations from Dr. Hill and moved themselves along from side to side to demonstrate their answers. For example, after solving an equation, they were expected to stand on the number -9. “Working with negative numbers is not intuitive for many students,” Dr. Hill said. “Having the opportunity to do some kinesthetic activities can be useful.”

Back in the classroom, with support from Mrs. Clarke, learning specialist, students solved more math problems with manipulatives. Manipulatives are physical objects used in the hands-on learning of mathematics that can help with concept comprehension. In this lesson, students handled foam circles that were yellow on one side (representing positive value) and red on the other (representing negative value). One yellow and one red circle were called a zero pair because they canceled each other’s value.

As Dr. Hill called out equations, students used the circles to come up with solutions. To solve -7 plus 5, students lined up seven red circles across from five yellow circles, removed the zero pairs, and were left with two red circles. The solution is -2.

“Students learn in different ways,” Dr. Hill told the class. “These activities help you understand what kind of instruction works for you, and helps you have empathy for those who learn differently.”

And finally, courtesy of Mr. Chavez, a joke: What did Zero say to Eight? “Nice belt.”

Learn more about Dr. Hill here!
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Graland Country Day School

Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.