Negative Numbers: Integers, Opposites and Absolute Value

About This Resource

A free Grade 6 lesson and worksheet on negative numbers: comparing and ordering integers, opposites, absolute value, temperature changes and real-life problems with sea level, money and floors. Includes a timed lesson plan, worksheet, editable Word version and answer key.

Overview

Students meet negative numbers in real places (a freezer at −18 °C, a diver below sea level, a car park on floor −2) and use a number line to compare and order integers. They find opposites and absolute values, work out new temperatures after a rise or a fall, and solve word problems. Every computed question in the pack is generated and checked automatically.

Resource Details

Subject: Math
Topic: Negative Numbers
Category: Number Sense
File Type: PDF
File Size: 271.8 KB
Published: 29 Oct 2026
Downloads: 0

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Grade 6 (ages 11–12) 45 minutes Number sense comparing and ordering integers absolute value problem solving

Student Task

Start with the thermometer warm-up in the lesson plan and draw a large number line on the board.
Teach comparing, opposites and absolute value, then use activities 1 to 5 for practice.
Use the multiple-choice, true or false and word problem activities to check understanding; answers are in the answer key.

Classroom Use

Human number line: give students cards from −10 to 10 and ask them to stand in order.
Thermometer talk: show a weather map with temperatures below zero and ask which city is coldest.
Elevator game: call out moves (up 3, down 5) and students track the floor on a vertical number line.

Differentiation

Support: give every student a printed number line from −20 to 20 to point at. Challenge: ask students to explain why |−7| = |7| and to write their own temperature word problems.

Answer Key & Assessment

Activities 1 to 5 check comparing, ordering, opposites, absolute value and temperature change; activities 6 to 9 check reasoning and word problems (answer key included).

Learning Objectives

Use a number line to compare and order positive and negative integers.
Find the opposite and the absolute value of an integer.
Solve real-life problems with negative numbers, such as temperature changes and positions below sea level.

Teacher Tips

Draw number lines vertically as well as horizontally: thermometers and sea level make it easier to see that −8 is lower (less) than −2.

What's Included

8-page printable PDF lesson pack: teacher lesson plan with timings, materials and differentiation
Key vocabulary list (6 words with meanings and examples)
Student worksheet (9 activities)
Editable Word version of the worksheet
Complete answer key (also as a separate PDF)