Ecosystems – Integers & Absolute Value Project: Grades 6-7 Math – PRINT

Description

Want to give your students an engaging, real-life example of integers and absolute value? This math project allows students to apply what they know while ordering integers, creating number lines, and applying absolute value to elevation and distance from sea level as they learn about and explore various ecosystems from around the world .

In this differentiated project, students will take draw a sketch of an ecosystem using a vertical number line (to represent elevation), then place all the various plants and animals on the vertical number line according their elevation.

They will then draw horizontal number lines to represent the high and low temperatures of the ecosystem over the course of a year.

Lastly, they will apply their knowledge of absolute value to find each organism’s distance from sea level, and distance from other organisms in the ecosystem.

Included in the project are 5 different ecosystems. Some include only positive integers, some include only negative integers, and some include a range of both negative and positive integers.

Assigning all 5 ecosystems allows students to practice with various ranges of integers, or allows you to differentiate for different student needs. If some students are not ready for negative values, you can assign 1-2 ecosystems to start with that only include positive elevations.

This is a fun way for 6th grade students to put their knowledge to work in a way that gives real life practice and a fun application to science. You could even use this with 7th graders as a review of integers and absolute value before more complex calculations.

Math Skills Needed for this Project:

• Creating vertical and horizontal number lines with appropriate scales
• Plot integer values on number lines
• Understand absolute value as distance from zero on the number line

Ways to Use the Project:

If you would like to complete the project in class, students could work with small groups to split up the ecosystems (1-2 per student), discuss strategies for creating their number lines and compare their final ecosystem drawings.

However, you could also assign this as an individual project after learning about and exploring integers and absolute value, to be completed at home (or in class if time allows).

This could also work as an extra credit project, early finisher challenge or end-of-year application project.

Included in the Download:

• Instructions/Tips for teachers
• Student Handouts for 5 different ecosystems
• Grading Rubric with assigned tasks/point values
• Blank Grading Rubric, allowing you to create your own criteria/point values
• Answer keys for absolute value & distance tables for each ecosystem
• Student sample pages, including a drawing of the first ecosystem and hand drawn number lines for the temperature

ENJOY ENGAGING MATH PROJECTS LIKE THIS ONE? CHECK OUT MORE PROJECTS BELOW:

• Real Estate Ratios & Unit Rate Project – 6th-7th Grade
• Sports Statistics: Data Analysis Project – 6th-7th Grade
• Ancient Civilizations Surface Area Project – 6th-8th Grade

Please Note: This product is a downloadable pdf file. No physical product will be shipped to you. In addition, this resource is for personal use in the home or classroom only. You may not share, distribute, alter or post this resource online in any way. Thank you for your honesty!