Integer Stories

My Pre-Algebra students were given the task of creating integer word problems from a picture they had drawn.  The idea was to make the problems interesting and include information to solve the problem.  We discussed that to make a good integer problem, we needed to know "where did you start", "how far did you go", and "where are you now".  This was a great activity and gave the students a chance to show some of their creative side too!  I have to admit I got this activity from the NCTM May 2010 issue of Mathematics teaching in the Middle School.

I think next year, I may have the students take actual photographs and write word problems from a real life picture.