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Grade 6 WebQuest · 6.NS.C.5–7

Dive the Number Line: Integers Mission

You are a submarine pilot. 0 is sea level. Numbers above 0 are positive. Numbers below 0 are negative. Your mission: master integers!

Learning Target

I can…

  • Place positive and negative integers on a number line (6.NS.C.6).
  • Compare and order integers using < and > (6.NS.C.7).
  • Find the opposite of any integer (6.NS.C.6a).
  • Find and explain absolute value as distance from 0 (6.NS.C.7c).
  • Use signed numbers to describe real-world situations (6.NS.C.5).
Standards: 6.NS.C.5, 6.NS.C.6, 6.NS.C.7 Estimated time: 45–55 min Materials: pencil, paper (Dive Log), device
Teacher Notes (click to expand)

Pacing

Intro + vocab: 8 min · Game play: 10 min · Dive Log task: 12 min · Self-check quiz: 8 min · NTKit quiz + save: 7 min · Reflection: 5 min. Total ≈ 50 min. Adjust game time for your lab schedule.

Grouping

Game section: pairs or trios. Dive Log: individual. Self-check quiz: individual (let students self-score, then discuss wrong answers as a class).

Differentiation — Support

  • Provide a printed number line (−10 to 10) for reference during the Log task.
  • Pre-fill 2 of the 5 integers on the Dive Log template for struggling students.
  • Allow verbal responses for the reflection prompt.

Differentiation — Challenge

  • Use integers beyond −20 to 20 in the Dive Log.
  • Ask students to create their own real-world context (golf scores, bank account) and write two comparison statements using <, >, and |absolute value|.
  • Extension: research the Dead Sea elevation and write it as an integer; compare with Mt. Everest.

ESOL / Language Supports

  • Post the vocab wall: integer, opposite, absolute value, negative, positive.
  • Use the submarine metaphor consistently — students at all language levels can anchor "below sea level = negative."
  • Allow native-language draft of reflection, then translate key terms to English.
  • Sentence frames: "The opposite of ___ is ___." / "|___| = ___ because it is ___ units from 0."

1. Introduction

Integers are the whole numbers and their opposites: … −3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3 …. We use them every day. A diver goes below sea level. A temperature can drop below zero. Money you owe is negative. In this WebQuest you will pilot a submarine on a number line and learn to compare integers, find opposites, and use absolute value.

−5 −4 −3 −2 −1  0  1  2  3  4  5
Integer — a whole number or its opposite (no fractions).
Opposite — same distance from 0, other side. Opposite of 4 is −4.
Absolute value — distance from 0, always positive. |−6| = 6.
Negative — less than 0 (below sea level, like −20 feet deep).

2. Your Task

What you will make: a short "Dive Log".

You will make a Dive Log that shows 5 submarine depths as integers, puts them in order on a number line, gives each opposite, and uses absolute value to tell how deep each dive went. Then you will finish the Check Your Understanding quiz and save it as a PDF or DOC with your name.

3. Process — Do These Steps

  1. Play the game. Open the Unit 7 Submarine game and dive the number line. Watch how depth changes when you go up or down.
  2. Pick 5 depths. Write 5 integers between −10 and 10 (use some negatives). Example: −8, −3, 0, 2, 6.
  3. Order them. Put your 5 integers in order from least to greatest. Remember: numbers further left are smaller (−8 < −3).
  4. Find opposites. Write the opposite of each integer. The opposite of −3 is 3.
  5. Use absolute value. Tell how deep each dive went using absolute value. |−8| = 8 feet deep.
  6. Learn more. Review with the Math lessons and the graphic novels if you need help.
  7. Finish the quiz. Answer the Check Your Understanding below, press Check My Answers, then Save as PDF or DOC.

4. Resources

5. Self-Check

Answer each question and press Check for instant feedback. These do not affect your grade — they help you learn before the big quiz.

1. A temperature of −15°F is __________ than a temperature of −3°F.

2. What is the absolute value of −11?

3. The opposite of −8 is…

4. A submarine at −6 meters and another at −2 meters — which is deeper?

5. Order from least to greatest: 3, −7, 0, −1, 5

6. Evaluation — How You Are Graded

Skill 4 — Expert 3 — Strong 2 — Developing 1 — Beginning
Integers & real-world context (6.NS.C.5) Chooses 5 valid integers; clearly links each to a real-world context (depth, temperature, money). Chooses 5 valid integers; some real-world links given. Chooses 3–4 integers; context partially addressed. Fewer than 3 integers; no real-world context.
Ordering on number line (6.NS.C.7) All 5 integers ordered least → greatest with no errors; comparison statements (</>) written correctly. All in correct order; 1 comparison statement error. Most in order; 2+ errors. Not in correct order.
Opposites (6.NS.C.6a) All 5 opposites correct; explains that opposites are equidistant from 0. All 5 correct; no explanation. 3–4 correct. Fewer than 3 correct.
Absolute value (6.NS.C.7c) All 5 absolute values correct with |n| notation; explains as distance from 0. All 5 correct with notation; no explanation. 3–4 correct. Fewer than 3 correct.
Quiz score (Check Your Understanding) 6 of 6 correct (100%) 5 of 6 correct 3–4 of 6 correct 0–2 of 6 correct

7. Check Your Understanding

Type your answer in each box. Then press the button at the bottom.

Answer Key

Teacher Answer Key — Click to Reveal
  1. Q1: −5 (−5 < 3, so −5 is colder). Standard: 6.NS.C.7a.
  2. Q2: 7 (opposite of −7 is 7). Standard: 6.NS.C.6a.
  3. Q3: 9 (|−9| = 9; distance is always positive). Standard: 6.NS.C.7c.
  4. Q4: > (−2 > −6 because −2 is to the right of −6 on the number line). Standard: 6.NS.C.7b.
  5. Q5: 12 (|−12| = 12 feet deep). Standard: 6.NS.C.7c.
  6. Q6: −4 (negative numbers are always left of positive numbers). Standard: 6.NS.C.6.

Self-Check answers: 1-less, 2-11, 3-8, 4-(-6m), 5-correct.

8. Conclusion & Reflection

Great diving! You can now place integers on a number line, compare them, find opposites, and use absolute value to describe distance from 0. These skills help with temperature, money, elevation, and more.

Deliverable: Save your completed page as a PDF or DOC with your first and last name in the filename (Example: JaneDoe_Unit7_WebQuest.pdf) and submit it to your teacher.