6.NS.7.c: Understand the absolute value of a rational number as its distance from 0 on the number line; interpret absolute value as magnitude for a positive or negative quantity in a real-world situation.

Hands-on Activities

1. Temperature Differences

Have your child compare temperatures from different days or cities using a thermometer or online weather reports. Ask them to calculate the absolute value of the difference in temperatures to discuss how much warmer or colder it was.

2. Elevation Exploration

Using an online tool or app that shows elevation, compare the elevations of various places around the world. Calculate the absolute value of the difference in elevation between two places to find out the distance in terms of height.

3. Financial Fluctuations

Track the price of a favorite product (e.g., a video game or a book) over a week. Calculate the daily price changes and use absolute values to discuss the stability of the product's price.

4. Step Challenge

Encourage your child to count their steps or use a pedometer for a day. Compare their step count with another family member's using absolute value to find out the difference in their activity levels.

5. Map Quest

Use a city map and select two landmarks. Estimate the distance between them and discuss how absolute value can represent this distance, disregarding the direction traveled.

Strategies When Your Child Struggles

1. Number Line Visualization

Use a physical or digital number line to help your child visualize the concept of absolute value by marking different numbers and their distances from zero.

2. Hands-on Comparisons

Encourage your child to use blocks or other household items to represent numbers and their absolute values visually and tactilely.

3. Daily Discussions

Integrate discussions about absolute values in daily activities, such as discussing distances driven in the car or points scored in a game to normalize the concept.

4. Peer Explaining

Ask your child to explain the concept of absolute value to a sibling or a friend, which can reinforce their understanding and confidence.

5-Minute Activities

Activity 1: Quick Number Challenge

Randomly choose numbers and ask your child to quickly state their absolute values.

Activity 2: Real-World Scavenger Hunt

Create a list of items or scenarios around the house where your child needs to find and write the absolute values.

Activity 3: Flashcard Flip

Make flashcards with different numbers. Flip them quickly, and your child identifies the absolute value.

Activity 4: Sign Switch

Write numbers with different signs on pieces of paper. Ask your child to sort them based on their absolute values.

Mid-Year Expectations

By the middle of 6th grade, your child should be able to:

• Students should be able to correctly identify the absolute value of positive and negative integers.
• Students should begin to relate absolute values to real-world contexts like distances and temperatures.

End-of-Year Expectations

By the end of 6th grade, your child should be able to:

• Students can accurately explain and use absolute values in a variety of numerical and real-world scenarios.
• Students can interpret and compare absolute values from graphical data or number lines.

Mastery Signs

Your child has mastered this standard when they can:

• Correctly identifying and calculating the absolute values of rational numbers without assistance.
• Applying the concept of absolute value to solve real-world problems effectively and accurately.

Questions to Ask:

Ask your child to solve these problems and explain their process:

• What is the absolute value of -15?
• If the temperature rose from -7 degrees to 5 degrees, what is the absolute change in temperature?
• Compare the absolute values of -8 and 3 and state which is greater.
• How would you use absolute value to determine the difference in elevation between two hills that are 120 meters and 75 meters high?