Walking the Number Line
Walking the number line is a concept used to help kids understand adding and subtracting negative numbers.
A number line can be drawn on the floor, or a small plastic figure can be used to walk the number line on paper.
Start by standing on the number line at the first addend. To add, face toward the positive numbers. To subtract, face toward the negative numbers. To add or subtract a positive number, walk forward. To add or subtract a negative number, walk backward. Walk the distance representd by the second addend. You will end up standing on the number line at the answer.