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Year 5

Read and write negative numbers

I can read and write negative numbers.

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New
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Year 5

Read and write negative numbers

I can read and write negative numbers.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The negative or minus sign in front of a number shows that it is a negative value.

Keywords

  • Numeral - A symbol or name that stands for a number

  • Negative number - A number less than zero.

Common misconception

Pupils do not write negative numbers beginning with the negative symbol e.g. writing 3- and not -3.

Take time to model the writing of a negative number. "I know it is negative so I begin with the negative symbol."

Give pupils frequent quickfire counting opportunities at different points in the day - for example, when lining up. This can be with a resource, such as a counting stick, or without. Count backwards and forwards across zero, initially in ones.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What word or number can be used to describe b on the image?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 0, zero, sea level, Zero, 0.
Q2.
Match the letters with their description.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:a,first floor

first floor

Correct Answer:b,ground floor

ground floor

Correct Answer:c,first basement

first basement

Q3.
Match the places with the correct description of their temperatures.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:Birmingham,Positive

Positive

Correct Answer:Swansea,Neither positive nor negative

Neither positive nor negative

Correct Answer:Edinburgh,Negative

Negative

Q4.
Order these floors of a building from lowest to highest.
1 - second basement
2 - first basement
3 - ground floor
4 - first floor
5 - second floor
Q5.
Match the keyword with the definition.
Correct Answer:temperature,how hot or cold something is

how hot or cold something is

Correct Answer:negative,numbers less than zero

numbers less than zero

Correct Answer:positive,numbers greater than zero

numbers greater than zero

Correct Answer:zero,shows that there is no amount

shows that there is no amount

Q6.
Which of these can be thought of as a negative value?
Correct answer: The first of the floors below the ground floor of a hotel.
The first floor above the ground floor of a hotel.
Sea level.
Correct answer: Underwater.
Correct answer: A thermometer showing −10℃

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the letter with the value.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:a,2

2

Correct Answer:b,1

1

Correct Answer:c,0

0

Correct Answer:d,−1

−1

Q2.
Label the floor with a number which describes it.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: -1, - 1, negative one, minus one
Q3.
Laura uses the lift to go to the third floor below the ground. Use the negative symbol to write the number of the floor.
Correct Answer: -3, - 3
Q4.
Order these elevations from highest to lowest.
1 - 75 m
2 - Sea level
3 - − 10 m
4 - − 75 m
Q5.
Order these elevations from lowest to highest.
1 - − 120 m
2 - − 12 m
3 - 0 m
4 - 12 m
5 - 120 m
Q6.
What is the temperature being shown on this thermometer?
An image in a quiz
−24℃
−31℃
Correct answer: −28℃
−32℃