Ordering Integers with Word Problems

Integers are present everywhere we look. From temperatures, understanding debits/credits with money, and even keeping score in certain sporting games involve an understanding of positive and negative numbers. 

Teach Starter has created a set of 24 task cards designed to help your 6th-grade students practice ordering positive and negative numbers in real-life scenarios. Each card presents a word problem that requires students to read, understand, and solve the problem to determine the order of the integers involved. These task cards are perfect for use in the classroom or as a fun homework assignment. They can be used individually or in small groups, making them a great addition to any math lesson on integers.

Through this activity, students will demonstrate they can order a set of rational numbers arising from real-world contexts.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your math lessons.

In addition to individual student work time, use this set of task cards to enhance learning through guided math groups, whole class lessons, or remote learning assignments. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

If there are students who require additional support, invite them to reference a number line that includes both positive and negative numbers. Even though all of the numbers may not be included on the number line, this will help students visualize where they would be placed.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

For students who need an additional challenge, encourage them to create a comic strip showing when they may use negative numbers in their everyday lives.

🛴 Scoot Activity 

Place the cards around the room in numerical order and give each student a recording sheet. Assign students or pairs to a starting point card. Give students time to review the card and record their answer in the corresponding space on their paper. Students will rotate to the next card when you say, “SCOOT!” Continue in this manner until students return to their starting point. 

👋 Exit Ticket 

Use these cards as a formative assessment after your lesson. Pick a random assortment of cards and project them on the board for the whole class to see. Students can record their answers on a sheet of paper, sticky note, or their notebook. 

Make sure to check out some of our other resources that cover ordering integers!

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or editable Google Slides version of this resource. A recording sheet and answer key are also included with this download.

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

To keep the task cards out of pockets or under desks, punch a hole in the corner of each to place them on a binder ring. 

Sustainability Tip: Print a few recording sheets on cardstock and slip them into dry-erase sleeves. Students can record their answers with a whiteboard marker, then erase and reuse them.  

This resource was created by Cassandra Friesen, a teacher in Colorado and Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities and resources that cut down on lesson planning time: 

teaching resource

Ordering Integers Activity — Task Cards

Introduce this ordering integers activity to your students to give them experience ordering positive and negative numbers.

teaching resource

Sequencing Integers – Picture Puzzles

Practice ordering positive and negative numbers with a set of picture puzzles.