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Lesson Plan

Absolute Value

In this lesson, students explore absolute value with and without a number line, compare the absolute values of two numbers, and apply their understanding of absolute value to real-world contexts.
Grade
Sixth Grade
Subject
Math
View aligned standards
6.NS.C.6.a
6.NS.C.7.a
6.NS.C.7.b
6.NS.C.7.c
6.NS.C.7.d

In this sixth-grade lesson plan, teachers will help students understand what absolute value is and how to find it with and without a number line. Students will also learn how to compare the absolute values of two numbers, and apply their understanding of absolute value within real-world contexts, such as temperature, elevation, and price discounts. Students will complete absolute value word problems to demonstrate their understanding. This lesson plan builds off students' understanding of opposite numbers to define absolute value.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to find and order absolute values of rational numbers.
  • Students will also be able to apply absolute values in real-world contexts.

Introduction

(5 minutes)
  • Prior to teaching this lesson, make sure you have introduced integers, opposites, and rational numbers to your students.
  • Write a number line on the board with a few missing numbers. Make sure to include 0 at the center of the number line. Include at least one missing positive number and at least one missing negative number. Ask students to identify the missing numbers on the number line and write those numbers on a sheet of paper.
  • Ask 1–2 students to come up to the board to write the missing numbers.
  • Once all of the numbers are labeled on the number line, plot a point on the number line (e.g., 3). Ask a student to come up and show the opposite of that number on the number line (e.g., “Show the opposite of 3 on the number line. Put a point there.”).