Number Line Navigator Script

Introduction & Warm-Up (5 minutes)

(Display Number Line Navigator Slide Deck - Slide 1)

"Good morning, future mathematicians! Today, we're going on an exciting adventure called 'Number Line Navigator.' Our mission? To become experts at finding a number's 'closest neighbor' on the number line, whether it's just a little bit more or just a little bit less. Who's ready to explore the world of numbers with me?"

"Let's get our brains warmed up with a quick 'Number Hunt'! I'm going to say a number, and I want you to tell me the number that comes right before it and the number that comes right after it. Think of your number line!"

• "What comes before and after 5?"
  
  
  
• "How about 12?"
  
  
  
• "And for 19?"
  
  
  

"Great job! You're already thinking about numbers and their order. That's exactly what we need for our lesson today."

Direct Instruction: What's Your Closest Neighbor? (10 minutes)

(Display Number Line Navigator Slide Deck - Slide 2)

"Alright, let's talk about our trusty tool for today: the number line! (Point to a number line drawn on the board or projected). A number line is like a straight road for numbers. Each number gets its own spot, and they're all lined up in order, from smallest to biggest as we move to the right."

"Today, we're focusing on numbers from 0 to 20. Can everyone point to 0 on our number line? Now point to 20. Good!"

(Display Number Line Navigator Slide Deck - Slide 3)

"Now, sometimes, we need to find a number's 'closest neighbor.' Imagine you're standing on a number, like 7. You have neighbors on both sides, right? On one side, there's 6, and on the other, there's 8. They're both just one step away!"

"When we say 'closest neighbor above,' we mean the number that is exactly one step to the right on the number line. It's one more than our starting number. And when we say 'closest neighbor below,' we mean the number that is exactly one step to the left. It's one less."

"It's like taking a tiny hop! One hop forward for 'above,' one hop backward for 'below.'"

(Display Number Line Navigator Slide Deck - Slide 4)

"Let's try some examples together! Look at the number 13 on our slide. What is the closest number above 13? Think: one step to the right!"

(Pause for student responses, guide them to 14 if needed.)

"Excellent! 14 is the closest number above 13."

"Now, what is the closest number below 13? Think: one step to the left!"

(Pause for student responses, guide them to 12 if needed.)

"You got it! 12 is the closest number below 13."

"Let's try another. How about the number 8? What's the closest number above 8? What's the closest number below 8?"

(Repeat with a few more examples, ensuring students grasp the concept of moving one step.)

Guided Practice & Activity (10 minutes)

(Display Number Line Navigator Slide Deck - Slide 5)

"Fantastic work, everyone! Now it's time to put our navigating skills to the test with an activity called Closest Neighbor Activity!"

"We're going to use our big number line (point to the one on the floor or whiteboard). I'll give you a number, and you'll work with a partner or in a small group to decide its closest neighbor above and below. You might even get to point to them on our class number line!"

(Facilitate the Closest Neighbor Activity, moving around to support students and listen to their reasoning.)

"Remember to explain why you chose those numbers. How do you know they are the 'closest neighbors'?"

Independent Practice & Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

(Display Number Line Navigator Slide Deck - Slide 6)

"You've been amazing Number Line Navigators! Now, to show what you've learned, you're going to complete a short Number Line Worksheet all by yourselves. Each question will ask you to find the closest number above or below a given number."

"Take your time, use your strategies, and remember what we practiced. If you finish early, you can double-check your work!"

(Distribute the Number Line Worksheet.)

(As students finish, transition to the Cool-Down: Quick Check)

(Display Number Line Navigator Slide Deck - Slide 7)

"Alright, mathematicians, as you finish up, let's do a quick 'Cool-Down: Quick Check' as our exit ticket. This will help me see what you've learned today. Please answer the question on your paper and turn it in as you leave."

"Today, you've mastered finding the closest numbers above and below. You are true Number Line Navigators, and your number sense is growing stronger! I'm so proud of your hard work!"

Warm-Up: Number Hunt!

Instructions: I will say a number. Your job is to tell me the number that comes right before it and the number that comes right after it.

Let's try a few together!

1. Teacher says: 7

   • Number before:
     
     
     
   • Number after:
     
     
     

2. Teacher says: 14

   • Number before:
     
     
     
   • Number after:
     
     
     

3. Teacher says: 3

   • Number before:
     
     
     
   • Number after:
     
     
     

4. Teacher says: 18

   • Number before:
     
     
     
   • Number after:
     
     
     

Closest Neighbor Activity

Goal: Work together to find the closest number above and below a given number on our class number line (0-20).

Materials:

• Large number line (drawn on the board or floor, or using number cards 0-20)
• Number cards (0-20) or sticky notes to mark numbers

Instructions:

1. **Teacher will pick a