SCORE Lesson - Coordinate Graphing

Coordinate Graphing

Teacher Lesson Plan

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Introduction:

In this lesson, students will have the opportunity to learn the basics of coordinate graphing and practice plotting points on the coordinate axis.

Prior Knowledge:

Students need to be able to differentiate between negative and positive numbers.
Students need to be able to locate points on a number line.

Grade Levels: 7-8

Objective:

Students will become familiar with plotting and locating points on the coordinate plane. This lesson will give students the opportunity to practice plotting points with immediate feedback.

Resources:

Graphing Quiz (html) / (pdf)
Introduction to the coordinate plane and coordinates - Shodor: Project Interactivate
Coordinates Game - Shodor: Project Interactivate
Maze Game - Shodor: Project Interactivate
Coordinate Grid (html) / (pdf)

Process:

Warm-Up Activity:
Each group of 4 students is given a Graphing Quiz. Allow enough time for groups to try to match the coordinate points to the correct letter on the coordinate graph. Review the answers using the overhead projector and a transparency of the Graphing Quiz Key. Ask group leaders to share their discoveries to the class.
Use the Graphing Quiz to reinforce graphing concepts, such as: find the first coordinate on the x-axis and the second on the y-axis. Model several problems with students volunteering answers and providing explanations.

Introduction to the coordinate plane and coordinates
Go to Project Interactivate's Introduction to the coordinate plane and coordinates link and use this as a tool kit to reinforce concepts on graphing. This introduction will provide a visual guide for students to graph on the coordinate plane. Provide enough time for all group members to finish reading through this page. Before going on to the next activity, spend some time with the class discussing and processing the information provided on this introductory page.

Coordinate Game
Now that each group has ideas about coordinate graphing, Project Interactivate's Coordinate Game provides students with the opportunity to plot points on the coordinate plan and to read the coordinate point plotted by the computer. Encourage all groups to read the directions carefully before starting the game. This game also provides the students with links entitled How? What? and Why? for those students who continue to have problems with plotting points or understanding the objectives of the game. Monitor groups as they are playing and provide feedback on an individual basis as much as possible. The students should not ask you questions; all directions and explanations are available at this site so remind students to use this page and their group members to master this game. When all group members have had a chance to play the game, make sure the class is able to talk about the activity and questions are asked. It might be a good idea for students to make suggestions on writing their own directions for the game.

Maze Game
Believe it or not, the students get to play another game. Again, this game builds on the skills acquired in the previous game. Project Interactivate's Maze Game allows the students to practice their point plotting skills by having them move a robot through a mine field to a target location. Remind all students to facilitate: help the teacher, help themselves and help others as much as possible and also that their are How? What? and Why? links for their viewing pleasure. Encourage all group members to take turns playing this game.

Written Report:
After completing this activity, the students will return to their seats and respond to the following prompt: If you were teaching coordinate graphing to somebody, how would you explain it? What kind of hints or ideas can you use to remember which point you plot first and the second? Remind the students to be creative and have fun with this. Once all groups have finished their report, have each group leader present the report to the class. Encourage them to model graphing skills during the presentation.

Learning Advice:

I would suggest starting off with a basic number line and modeling where positive and negative numbers are on one axis before beginning with the coordinate plane. Use every chance you can get to reinforce the language of mathematics by using the technical terms: quadrants, axis, coordinate plane, coordinate points, etc. Students need to be able to use and understand these words as they progress. If you are in need of a coordinate graph, visit the Coordinate Grid link.

Evaluation:

Teacher observation would be an appropriate form of assessment while the students are working on either of the games. Students should also work on their writing assignments or reflection piece at the end of the class period. You might also try giving the Graphing Quiz again and assessing their growth.

Extensions:

What's my line? Linear functions and the coordinate plane. - Shodor: Project Interactivate
This link takes your students directly into graphing linear functions on the coordinate plane.

From graphs to stories - Shodor: Project Interactivate
This link provides as excellent opportunity to reinforce function graphing skills. These students are provided with a story and they have to provide a graph to match the story.

Conclusion:
Plotting points on the coordinate axis is a great topic and has unlimited opportunities for activities in the classroom. Sometimes when I start coordinate graphing, I run around like a crazy person checking all my students work and checking that they are doing it correctly. This lesson and the sites that have been linked to it provide an excellent reinforcement tool. Student answers are checked instantly and the students won't even think of it as an assignment, it's a GAME!

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California Academic Content Standards

Grade 7:
Algebra and Functions
1.0 Students express quantitative relationships using algebraic terminology, expressions, equations, inequalities and graphs.
1.5 represent quantitative relationships graphically and interpret the meaning of a specific part of a graph in terms of the situation represented by the graph

3.0 Students graph and interpret linear and some non-linear functions.

3.3 graph linear functions, noting that the vertical change (change in y-value) per unit horizontal change (change in x-value) is always the same and know that the ratio ("rise over run") is called the slope of a graph

Measurement and Geometry
3.0 Students know the Pythagorean Theorem and deepen their understanding of plane and solid geometric shapes by constructing figures that meet given conditions and by identifying attributes of figures.

3.2 understand and use coordinate graphs to plot simple figures, determine lengths and areas related to them, and determine their image under translations and reflections

NCTM 5-8:
Standard 1: Mathematics as Problem Solving
Standard 2: Mathematics as Communication
Standard 3: Mathematics as Reasoning
Standard 4: Mathematical Connections
Standard 5: Number and Number Relationships
Standard 8: Patterns and Functions
Standard 12: Geometry