1. Aim: How do number lines help us to understand absolute value?
September 24, Math 201
Objective: Students will understand absolute value of a number as the distance between a number and zero on a number line.
Aim: How do number lines help us to understand absolute value?
NYS Mathematics Standards: 6.N.13
Prior Knowledge: Identify each number as positive or negative:
-4______ 5______ -17______
11______ -8______ 13______

2. Mini-lesson:
The absolute value of a number is the distance between the number and zero on a number line
Ex |-2| = 2 and |2| = 2
A number and its opposite always have the same absolute value because they are both equal distance from 0 on a number line. A number and its opposite are sometimes called a zero pair because together they cancel each other out (equal zero).

3. Guided Practice:
Evaluate the expression |-4|
On a number line, plot points 0 and -4.
Count the units between the points.
The distance between the points is 4 units, so |-4| = 4

4. Independent Practice:
Group Activity:
Use red and yellow counting disks to model +3 and -3. Form zero pairs to find the sum.
Each yellow counter represents +1. Each red counter represents -1.
Place 3 yellow disks and 3 red disks on your desk. Make 3 zero pairs using the yellow and red counting disks.
Each pair of red and yellow disks equals zero and cancels each other.
There are 0 remainig disks, so the sum is 0.
Independent Practice:
Complete exercises 19, 22, 23, 27 and 30.

5. Homework: 7 - 4 “Homework Practice” worksheet
Assessment:
Write each integer’s absolute value and the number needed to create its zero pair:
-17, 3, -24, -59, 82
Homework: “Homework Practice” worksheet