CCSS.Math.Content.6.NS.C.6
The standard
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.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics · The Number System
What this standard means
Students need to place positive and negative rational numbers on horizontal and vertical number lines, including fractions and decimals. They also need to understand zero as the dividing point and use ordered pairs with negative coordinates on a coordinate plane.
Mastery looks like accurate plotting, reading coordinates, and explaining direction and distance from zero. Students often mix up left and right with negative numbers, confuse x and y order, or place fractions and decimals using uneven spacing.
Ways to teach it
- Use masking tape on the floor for a giant number line, then have students stand on assigned integers, fractions, and decimals.
- Ask students to write how the locations of 3, -3, 1.5, and -1.5 are alike and different.
- Give four plotted points and four ordered pairs, then have students match each point to its coordinates.
- Have students map classroom locations on a coordinate grid where the door is the origin and left or down can be negative.
Plan a lesson for CCSS.Math.Content.6.NS.C.6
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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.1
Apply and extend previous understandings of addition and subtraction to add and subtract rational numbers; represent addition and subtraction on a horizontal or...
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.NS.C.6c
Find and position integers and other rational numbers on a horizontal or vertical number line diagram; find and position pairs of integers and other rational nu...
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.NS.C
Apply and extend previous understandings of numbers to the system of rational numbers.