Practice Absolute Value with a Matching Activity!

Are your students able to determine the absolute value of a number? Can they solve equations where they must understand the concept of absolute value? If your students are needed additional practice with this skill, then we have a great resource for you! Teach Starter has put together a matching activity to practice determining the absolute value of a number and solving equations with this concept.

To play:

1. Place all game cards face down in the playing area.
2. Player 1 will turn over 2 cards. If they are a match, Player 1 keeps the cards. If they are not a match, Player 1 flips them back over in the same spot, and it is Player 2’s turn. 
3. Play continues until all cards have been matched up.
4. Check all players’ matches with the answer key when the game is over. 
5.  If a match is wrong, that match will go to the opposing player. 
6. The player with the most cards wins!

Through this activity, students will show they understand the absolute value of a rational number as its distance from 0 on the number line and solve equations involving absolute value.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your math lessons. 

In addition to individual student work time, use this absolute value activity to enhance learning through guided math groups, whole class lessons, or remote learning assignments. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

For students who need additional support, invite them to reference previous assignments, posters, or anchor charts. This activity can also be completed in a 1-on-1 setting or with a small group of students.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

For students who need a bit of a challenge, use the editable version to modify values to have more complex equations. Additionally, you can challenge students to race with another student to see who can match all of the pieces first.

Plan lessons for all ability levels with our 10 Best Scaffolding Strategies! 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the color PDF, black and white PDF, or editable Google Slides version of this resource. An answer key is also included with this download. 

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

This resource was created by Casandra Friesen, a teacher in Colorado and Teach Starter Collaborator.