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Always Sometimes Never for Absolute Value, Opposite, Reciprocal, and Opposite Reciprocal

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1 Free Download of Always, Sometimes, or Never Questions for Absolute Value, Opposite, and Reciprocal
2 Free Download of Clothesline Cards

Monday, we are starting our first unit of Algebra 1 by looking at the definitions of absolute value, opposite, reciprocal, and opposite reciprocal. Last year, I made the mistaken assumption that my 9th graders would be proficient at finding the absolute value of a number/expression when they came in. In addition to absolute value, I’ve decided to address opposites, reciprocals, and opposite reciprocals at the same time. This should save us some time when we get to discussing perpendicular lines!

large question mark on mathematical background with text: "always? sometimes? never? absolute value, opposite, reciprocal, opposite reciprocal"

I decided to create an Always/Sometimes/Never activity to get my students thinking about these terms at a deeper level.

always sometimes never questions over absolute value, opposite, reciprocal, and opposite reciprocal in interactive notebook.

Here’s what I came up with:

screenshot of always sometimes never questions over absolute value, opposite, reciprocal, and opposite reciprocal

I’ve currently got a set of tents in the works for a clothesline activity to go with this lesson.

papers with numbers written on them and colored papers with text "reciprocal," "absolute value," "opposite," and "opposite reciprocal."

Free Download of Always, Sometimes, or Never Questions for Absolute Value, Opposite, and Reciprocal


Always Sometimes Never – Absolute Value, Opposite, Reciprocal (PDF) (1112 downloads )


Always Sometimes Never – Absolute Value, Opposite, Reciprocal (Editable Publisher File ZIP) (908 downloads )

plastic clothesline in package.
unwrapped plastic clothesline in bundle.
clothesline hanging on dry erase board in classroom with signs hanging off it with text "reciprocal," "opposite," "opposite reciprocal," and "absolute value."
student placing card on clothesline.
number cards arranged on clothesline.
clothesline with number cards arranged below it.
-9 hanging on clothesline.
-9 and absolute value of -9 on clothesline.
opposite clothespinned to absolute value on number line.

Free Download of Clothesline Cards


Clothesline Cards for Absolute Value, Opposite, Reciprocal (PDF) (805 downloads )


Clothesline Cards for Absolute Value, Opposite, Reciprocal (Editable Publisher File ZIP) (832 downloads )

Sarah Carter teaches high school math in her hometown of Coweta, Oklahoma. She currently teaches AP Precalculus, AP Calculus AB, and Statistics. She is passionate about sharing creative and hands-on teaching ideas with math teachers around the world through her blog, Math = Love.

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4 Comments

  2. I am also curious about this… I have seen lots of ideas for clothesline math, but haven't found any directions as to how it is organized. ??? Thanks for sharing your resources!

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