Teaching Absolute Values Using Two Poles

We know that an absolute value is always a positive number because the symbol is asking how far each number is from zero. Since we can think of the absolute value symbol as a positive machine (where negative numbers turn positive) than we can use this image to construct a happy machine!

What you need: Two poles or sticks and some student volunteers



Have student volunteers form a line and act grumpy and negative



Have student one-by-one walk through the poles



As they walk through the poles have them become happy or positive