Adding integers is a skill that is supposed to be mastered in elementary and middle school.  If we took a random sample of 20 10th graders in the Hollandale School District, I would estimate that 13 or so would not be able to accurately tell me on the first try what -5 - 4 equals.  That is a sad but true statement.  Each year I hear MTC math teachers talking about how they spend several weeks if not a full month on the basics of math such as adding integers.  Eventually, the teachers must give into the calculator because there is the state test looming over them.  Although I have taught this song to my students, if given the option they still choose the calculator to help them.  I really enjoy this method of instruction because songs help everyone remember things!

The video above is a rap rendition of the song.  It is originally sung to “Row Row Row Your Boat.”  However,  my students said they had something much better than that.  And this is what we ended up with!

Return to the Teaching Strategies page to check out my other strategies!

“Same sign ADD and KEEP,

Different signs SUBTRACT,

Keep the sign of the larger number,

Double negatives add!”