6th Grade Mathematics
UNIT 1: Rational Numbers and Absolute Value
Unit 1/ Rational Numbers and Absolute Value/ 15 days
Students will apply and extend their previous understandings of numbers to the system of
rational numbers (fractions, decimals, integers). They will develop an understanding of the
meaning of integers in the real-world context
Big Ideas/Enduring Understandings
 Positive and negative numbers are
often used to solve problems in
everyday life.
 Rational numbers are points on a
number line
 Numbers in ordered pairs indicate
locations in quadrants of the
coordinate plane
 Negative numbers are used to
represent quantities that are less than
zero.
 Absolute value is a measure of
distance from zero
 Absolute value is useful in ordering
and graphing positive and negative
numbers.
Guiding Questions:

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
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What are positive and negative numbers?
How do we compare rational numbers?
Can a negative number have a greater
absolute value than a positive number?
How do we represent rational numbers on a
number line?
How do we graph ordered pairs to solve
problems?
NYS Common Core Standards for Mathematics:
Mathematical Content6.NS.5 Understand that positive and negative numbers are used together to
describe quantities having opposite directions or values (e.g., temperature above/below zero, elevation
above/below sea level, credits/debits, positive/negative electric charge); use positive and negative numbers
to represent quantities in real-world contexts, explaining the meaning of 0 in each situation.
6.NS.6 Understand a rational number as a point on the number line. Extend number line diagrams and
coordinate axes familiar from previous grades to represent points on the line and in the plane with negative
number coordinates.
6.NS.7 Understand ordering and absolute value of rational numbers.
6.NS.8 Solve real-world and mathematical problems by graphing points in all four quadrants of the coordinate
plane. Include use of coordinates and absolute value to find distances between points with the same first
coordinate or the same second coordinate.
6.G.3 Draw polygons in the coordinate plane given coordinates for the vertices; use coordinates to find the
length of a side joining points with the same first coordinate or the same second coordinate. Apply these
techniques in the context of solving real-world and mathematical problems.
Mathematical Practices
1: Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them
2: Reason abstractly and quantitatively
3: Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others
4: Model with mathematics
5: Use appropriate tools strategically
6: Attend to precision
1
6th Grade Mathematics
7: Look for and make use of structure
8: Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning
Content
Skills

Fractions
Decimals
Integers
Absolute value
Graphing coordinates
Distance
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Locate rational numbers on a number
line
Locate ordered pairs on the coordinate
plane
Order and compare rational numbers
Interpreting absolute value in real-world
scenarios
Vocabulary/ Key Terms
Integers
Rational numbers
Opposite numbers
Positive and negative numbers
Absolute value
Inequality
Number line
Coordinate grid
x-axis and y-axis
Origin
Quadrants
Ordered pair/ coordinate
x-coordinate andy-coordinate
ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE
Initial Assessment
Diagnostic test for prior skills needed
Formative Assessments:
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Checks for Understanding
Short- and Extended-Response questions used throughout the unit.
Reflections
Formative Assessment Tasks
Summative Assessments:
1. Quizzes
2. Interim assessments
3. Unit test
4. Performance Tasks
TEACHING PLAN
Teaching and Learning Activities:
2
6th Grade Mathematics
Lesson 1: Positive and negative numbers are used to describe amounts having opposite values
Lesson 2: Positive and negative numbers show amounts in real-world situations and they explain
the meaning of zero in those situations
Lesson 3: A rational number is a point on a number line which shows positive and negative
numbers
Lesson 4: Opposite signs of numbers indicate places on opposite sides of 0 on the number line
Lesson 5: Signs of numbers in ordered pairs indicate locations In quadrants of the coordinate
plane
Lesson 6: Ordering positive and negative numbers
Lesson 7: Absolute value of rational numbers
Lesson 8: Distance between points in the coordinate plane
Culminating Activities:
Performance tasks
Essential question as a post-assessment.
Reflections
Set goals for improvement
Unit test
Resources Needed:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Connected Mathematics Project 3 – Grade 6
Impact Mathematics Course 1
Rulers
Graph Paper
Chart Paper
CALENDAR
3
6th Grade Mathematics
Time
Spent on
Standard
Standards
3 days
6.NS.5 Understand that positive and
negative numbers are used together to
describe quantities having opposite
directions or values (e.g., temperature
above/below zero, elevation above/below
sea level, credits/debits, positive/negative
electric charge); use positive and negative
numbers to represent quantities in realworld contexts, explaining the meaning of 0
in each situation.
3 days
6.NS.6 Understand a rational number as a
point on the number line. Extend number
line diagrams and coordinate axes familiar
from previous grades to represent points on
the line and in the plane with negative
number coordinates.
3days
6.NS.7 Understand ordering and absolute
value of rational numbers.
3 days
3 days
Topics To Cover
CMP3 Unit:
Comparing Bits and
Pieces (Investigation
3)
Rational Numbers
Absolute value
Graphing
6.NS.8 Solve real-world and mathematical
problems by graphing points in all four
quadrants of the coordinate plane. Include
use of coordinates and absolute value to
find distances between points with the same
first coordinate or the same second
coordinate.
6.G.3 Draw polygons in the coordinate
plane given coordinates for the vertices; use
coordinates to find the length of a side
joining points with the same first coordinate
or the same second coordinate. Apply these
techniques in the context of solving realworld and mathematical problems.
3 days
4