CCSS.Math.Content.6.NS.C.5
The Standard
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.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics · The Number System
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students use positive and negative numbers to show opposite directions or values in real situations. They also explain what zero represents in each situation.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students correctly assign positive, negative, or zero values to real situations. They explain what the sign and zero mean in the given context.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think every number below zero means a smaller physical amount, rather than an opposite direction or value. They may also treat zero as positive or assume zero has the same meaning in every context.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: A hiker is 120 meters above sea level, a cave is 35 meters below, and a dock is at sea level. Write a signed number for each and explain what zero means.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Place context cards on a taped floor number line, then explain why each card belongs above, below, or at zero.
Write how zero means different things on a thermometer and a bank statement, then compare responses with a partner.
Play Sign Match: pair each situation card with a signed number card and earn a point by explaining the sign.
Use a Celsius weather map to label temperatures as positive or negative relative to freezing, and state what zero means.
Free download
Printable 6.NS.C.5 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.Math.Content.6.NS.C.5, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetLearning progression
Where This Standard Sits
See the whole path on the The Number System progression map.
What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
- CCSS.Math.Content.7.NS.A.2a
Representing positive and negative quantities in contexts supports interpreting signed rational products and why signs indicate opposite directions or values.
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.NS.C.7
Interpreting positives, negatives, and zero in contexts supports comparing signed numbers and understanding distance from zero.
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.NS.C.6
Interpreting positive and negative quantities and zero supports placing negative rational numbers on number lines and coordinate axes.
- CCSS.Math.Content.7.NS.A.1a
Representing positive and negative real-world quantities and zero supports explaining how equal opposites cancel to make zero.
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.NS.C.6a
Real-world positive and negative contexts introduce opposites and zero, which support understanding opposite locations on the number line.
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.NS.C.7b
Understanding positive and negative quantities and zero anchors real-world comparisons and order statements for rational numbers.
Keep exploring
Related Standards
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.NS.C.7c
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 q...
- CCSS.Math.Content.7.NS.A.1b
Understand p + q as the number located a distance |q| from p, in the positive or negative direction depending on whether q is positive or negative. Show that a ...
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.