Every year I spend COUNTLESS WEEKS establishing the basics of integer computation. We learn how to add, subtract, multiply and divide negative and positive whole numbers. We do so with number lines, integer chips, mental math "rules," raps, chants, word clues - you name it. And we ace it!!!!So why can students never remember the basics when we start adding in negative fractions and decimals? All of the sudden they are adding instead of subtracting, using multiplication sign rules with addition -