Penguin Math: Integers
In this lesson, students explore positive and negative integers by taking on the role of zookeepers tracking environmental conditions at Riverbanks Zoo's Penguin Coast exhibit. Using both horizontal and vertical number lines, 6th graders will model sub-zero indoor temperatures and underwater diving depths while learning to apply absolute value to real-world distances.
Essential Question
How can positive and negative integers model real-world relationships above and below a reference point of zero?
Grade(s):
- 6
Subject(s):
Recommended Technology:
Smart Board w/ audio to view the Zoo Minutes | Penguins video
Other Instructional Materials or Notes:
Print a copy of the student worksheet for each student.
Lesson Progression
1. Hook & Media Anchor (10 Minutes)
SCETV Anchor: Stream the Zoo Minutes: Penguins video segment from KnowItAll.org to anchor student focus on the diving habits and chilly exhibit habitats of penguins.
Local Context: Connect the video directly to Columbia's Riverbanks Zoo:
"At the Penguin Coast exhibit in Riverbanks Zoo, zookeepers closely monitor two things: sub-zero habitat temperatures and the depth of the deep-water dive pool. Sea level and pool surface act as our reference point—zero!"
2. Direct Instruction: Vertical & Horizontal Number Lines (15 Minutes)
Introduce integers ( -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, ...) using vertical and horizontal representations:
Vertical Axis (Elevation / Diving Depths):
Water surface = 0 feet
A Gentoo penguin resting on a rock = +4ft
A Gentoo penguin diving 12 feet below the water surface = -12ft.
Absolute Value (|-12|): The penguin is -12ft deep, but its distance traveled from the surface is |-12| = 12 feet.
Horizontal Axis (Sub-Zero Temperatures):
0°F is the baseline boundary.
Outside temperature in Columbia, SC during summer = +95°F.
Freezing water in the exhibit = +32°F.
Specialized indoor air cooling system = -5°F (5 degrees below zero).
3. Transition to Student Worksheet (5 Minutes)
Distribute the "Riverbanks Zoo: Deep Dives & Freezing Temps" practice sheet.
Point out that below sea level/zero indicates negative integers (-), while above sea level/zero indicates positive integers (+).
Emphasize that absolute value measures total magnitude/distance, which is always positive.
Teacher Notes
Differentiation: Provide physical vertical number line strips (+15 to -20) that fold out on desk edges to visualize diving depth vs. elevation. Color-code terms: highlight keywords like below, descend, drop, and beneath in blue (negative); highlight above, ascend, rise, and climb in red (positive).
Extension: Have students write an inequality comparing two sub-zero exhibit temperatures (e.g.,-8°F < -3°F) and explain why a temperature of -8°F represents a colder environment despite 8 being greater than 3.
Penguin Math Integers Student Worksheet
Print a copy for each student. Encourage students to show work on a vertical number line if necessary.
View ResourceStandards
Assessments
Use the performance task linked in the resources tab to assess student learning outcomes.
