Free Grade 3 Introducing Negative Numbers Lesson Plans
Free Grade 3 lesson plans for Introducing Negative Numbers: 12 real questions with a full answer key and worked solutions. Integers include negative numbers. On a number line, adding moves right and subtracting moves left. Subtracting a negative is the same as adding.
Free
Stretch
30 min
24
Learning objectives
Every objective is checkable, and each one maps to an activity and an assessment.
- UnderstandExplain introducing negative numbers
Explain introducing negative numbers accurately in a familiar context.
Assessed by: Exit ticket of four short items
- ApplyCalculate introducing negative numbers
Calculate introducing negative numbers accurately in a familiar context.
Assessed by: Exit ticket of four short items
- AnalyseCompare introducing negative numbers
Compare introducing negative numbers accurately in a familiar context.
Assessed by: Exit ticket of four short items
- EvaluateJustify introducing negative numbers
Justify introducing negative numbers accurately in a familiar context.
Assessed by: Exit ticket of four short items
Prerequisites
Close these gaps first — each has its own free lesson, worksheet and quiz.
How Introducing Negative Numbers works
Integers include negative numbers. On a number line, adding moves right and subtracting moves left. Subtracting a negative is the same as adding.
12 practice questions
Easy to hard, 24 marks in total. Try them first, then open the answers.
- 1.4 + 4 = ?[1]
- 2.2 + 5 = ?[1]
- 3.-7 − 7 = ?[1]
- 4.-3 − (-10) = ?[1]
- 5.-8 × 14 = ?[2]
- 6.-10 × (-2) = ?[2]
- 7.-9 − (-12) = ?[2]
- 8.-13 + 16 = ?[2]
- 9.-16 × 13 = ?[3]
- 10.24 − 27 = ?[3]
- 11.-2 + 14 = ?[3]
- 12.-12 × 2 = ?[3]
Show answers and working
1. 8
Start at 4 on a number line. Move 4 right. You land on 8.
2. 7
Start at 2 on a number line. Move 5 right. You land on 7.
3. -14
Subtracting 7 is the same as adding -7. -7 + (-7) = -14
4. 7
Subtracting (-10) is the same as adding 10. -3 + 10 = 7
5. -112
Multiply the sizes: 8 × 14 = 112. Same signs give positive, different signs give negative. Answer: -112
6. 20
Multiply the sizes: 10 × 2 = 20. Same signs give positive, different signs give negative. Answer: 20
7. 3
Subtracting (-12) is the same as adding 12. -9 + 12 = 3
8. 3
Start at -13 on a number line. Move 16 right. You land on 3.
9. -208
Multiply the sizes: 16 × 13 = 208. Same signs give positive, different signs give negative. Answer: -208
10. -3
Subtracting 27 is the same as adding -27. 24 + (-27) = -3
11. 12
Start at -2 on a number line. Move 14 right. You land on 12.
12. -24
Multiply the sizes: 12 × 2 = 24. Same signs give positive, different signs give negative. Answer: -24
Worked examples
1 − (-6) = ?
- Subtracting (-6) is the same as adding 6.
- 1 + 6 = 7
- Answer: 7
-1 × (-11) = ?
- Multiply the sizes: 1 × 11 = 11.
- Same signs give positive, different signs give negative.
- Answer: 11
- Answer: 11
-16 − 13 = ?
- Subtracting 13 is the same as adding -13.
- -16 + (-13) = -29
- Answer: -29
Interactive practice
Free, no account required — answer on screen or print it.
Common mistakes
What learners typically get wrong, and how to fix it.
Thinks −8 is bigger than −3.
Correction: Further left on the number line means smaller.
Treats − (−4) as −4.
Correction: Two minus signs together become a plus.
Teacher tips
- · Use a vertical number line like a thermometer.
Parent tips
- · Compare winter temperatures from the weather forecast.
Real-life applications
- · Temperatures below zero, bank balances, floors below ground.
Assessment objectives
How mastery is evidenced, and which standards it maps to.
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Frequently asked
- Is this Grade 3 Introducing Negative Numbers lesson plan really free?
- Yes. Every lesson plans on FreeMathWorksheet is free to use, print and share — no account, no paywall and no watermark.
- What should a learner already know before this?
- Start with Number Formation. Each one has its own free lesson, worksheet and quiz.
- How is the lesson plan sequenced?
- Recognition first, then understanding, application, reasoning and finally mastery — the same ladder used across every free resource on the platform.
- What comes next after Introducing Negative Numbers?
- Move on to Working with Negative Numbers, Negative Numbers in Context, Integer Number Line, Adding Integers, which build directly on this idea.
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