Using Number Lines In The Math Classroom.

Up until recently, I've never used number lines because I thought they were meant only for the younger grades. However, I've decided that number lines can be used to show older students so much and are a great addition to strips.  In addition, they can be used with different vocabulary when working with older students so they get a much better idea of positive and negative.

For instance, most students have been exposed to number lines in terms of addition and subtraction but they need the same exposure when working with positive and negative numbers.  For older students, this is where you can talk about the positive and negative relating to directions on the number line.  It can also be used to show by a double negative turns into a positive number.

Number lines in early elementary are used to show numbers and their order but number lines can also show order for fractions and decimals along with positive and negative numbers.  Furthermore, it is used to show addition and subtraction of whole numbers but it can be used to show addition and subtraction of decimals or fractions.  As long as the students have multiple number lines available, they can see that 2/5 < 3/5 or .4 = 2/5. In fact, you can have one number line with fractions on the bottom and decimal equivalents on the top. 

This is important because using number lines to show fractions helps provide a base for students to learn to read rulers and measuring tapes. I have so many students who cannot read measurement so they struggle when doing anything that requires it.  It is just a short step from using a number line to reading a ruler or measuring tape.  

Although I've never done it, I can see using number lines to show multiplication by showing that 3 x 5 is three jumps that are 5 units in length or 5 jumps that are three units long.  The same could be said of division by having students divide a total number into that many units.  In other words, show that 15 divided by 3 means you take the length of 15 and either divide it into 3 equal groups or into sections that are 3 units long.

What about having students use a number line to help solve word problems.  Students can mark the information on the number line to help them visualize everything, thus giving them a way to figure out how to solve the actual problem. This can really help students rather than just having to read numbers and guess the solution.  

For students who are more advanced, have them use number lines to create a problem which they turn into a word problem.  This helps students see that most word problems follow a set pattern.  Usually the information is provided with the question on what they need to find being one of the last things in the problem.  

Finally, Alway include the number line when reviewing and reinforcing what they've already learned using one.  This can be done by creating games that use the number line. I hope this gives you a few ideas for using number lines in your classroom.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.