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Numbers below zero: 6th grade math

Negative numbers in context (temperature, sea level, debt). A free 6th grade lesson plan, a question set with answers and a printable sheet with its key. Copy it and make it yours.

Lesson plan

Goal

  • Students can do this: negative numbers in context (temperature, sea level, debt).

Teach (10 min)

  • Numbers less than zero are negative. They sit to the left of 0 on the number line.
  • −5 is 5 steps left of 0, like 5 degrees below zero.
  • Work one example on the board while students say each step aloud, then do one together.

Practise (15 min)

  • Students work the printable sheet in pairs, then alone.
  • Or practise it as a game with no sign-up: https://peabody.kids/math/negatives.read?lesson=6-negatives&at=6

Exit ticket (5 min)

  • Three questions on a slip:
  • 1. What number is the dot sitting on?−5−4−3−2−101
  • 2. the mine floor is 40 feet below sea level. Write that as a number.
  • 3. The thermometer at Anchorage reads 5 degrees below zero. Write that as a number.

Question set

10 questions that read in words, easiest first. Questions that need a picture are on the printable sheet below.

  1. What number is the dot sitting on?−5−4−3−2−101
  2. the mine floor is 40 feet below sea level. Write that as a number.
  3. The thermometer at Anchorage reads 5 degrees below zero. Write that as a number.
  4. the diver is 160 feet below sea level. Write that as a number.
  5. What number is the dot sitting on?−16−15−14−13−12−11−10−9−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−101
  6. The thermometer at Anchorage reads 5 degrees below zero. Write that as a number.
  7. The thermometer at the summit reads 12 degrees below zero. Write that as a number.
  8. The thermometer at the ski lift reads 2 degrees below zero. Write that as a number.
  9. What number is the dot sitting on?−9−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−101
  10. What number is the dot sitting on?−19−18−17−16−15−14−13−12−11−10−9−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−101
Answers
  1. −4
  2. −40
  3. −5
  4. −160
  5. −15
  6. −5
  7. −12
  8. −2
  9. −8
  10. −18

Printable sheet

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

Numbers below zero (6th grade)

  1. What number is the dot sitting on?
    −14−13−12−11−10−9−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−101
  2. What number is the dot sitting on?
    −20−19−18−17−16−15−14−13−12−11−10−9−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−101
  3. What number is the dot sitting on?
    −7−6−5−4−3−2−101
  4. What number is the dot sitting on?
    −11−10−9−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−101
  5. What number is the dot sitting on?
    −21−20−19−18−17−16−15−14−13−12−11−10−9−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−101
  6. What number is the dot sitting on?
    −21−20−19−18−17−16−15−14−13−12−11−10−9−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−101
  7. The thermometer at the back porch reads 15 degrees below zero. Write that as a number.
  8. What number is the dot sitting on?
    −17−16−15−14−13−12−11−10−9−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−101
  9. the parking level is 120 feet below sea level. Write that as a number.
  10. What number is the dot sitting on?
    −4−3−2−101
  11. The thermometer at the summit reads 19 degrees below zero. Write that as a number.
  12. the submarine is 40 feet below sea level. Write that as a number.
Key
  1. −13
  2. −19
  3. −6
  4. −10
  5. −20
  6. −20
  7. −15
  8. −16
  9. −120
  10. −3
  11. −19
  12. −40

Written by Peabody from its own skill pages. Free, no ads, no sign-in. Children can practise this on Peabody. More from teachers: teacher-shared resources.