Human coordinate graph

Students will actively learn how to plot ordered pairs on a coordinate plane. They will also learn how to connect ordered pairs to graph a picture.

A lesson plan for grades 3–4 Mathematics

By Cheryl Sexton

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Related pages

• Coordinate plane artwork: For this lesson students will go to the computer lab and use the General Coordinate Game applet created by the Shodor Foundation to obtain a more specific understanding of the coordinate plane, its parts, and how it can be used to graph points. Afterward, the students will practice using the coordinate plane by drawing a picture on a coordinate plane and then writing out directions (using coordinates) for that picture to be replicated exactly by another student, who will not see the picture but will follow the directions.
• Step right up!: The students will learn to name an ordered pair for a point and plot positions named by an ordered pair on a large grid located on the classroom floor.
• Tabletop grids: Students will play a review game in small groups using large grids to develop skill in locating and naming points on grid maps.

Related topics

• Learn more about coordinate planes, geometry, kinesthetic learners, mathematics, and ordered pairs.

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Learning outcomes

The student will:

• learn the location of the x axis, y axis, and quadrants.
• locate an ordered pair on a coordinate plane.
• connect ordered pairs to form a picture.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

90 Minutes

Materials/resources

• index cards with ordered pairs using -10 to +10 on the axis
• yarn
• register tape
• masking tape
• open space

Pre-activities

The student should understand and know that a coordinate plane is represented by graph paper. They should also be familiar with the following vocabulary terms: x axis, y axis, quadrant, ordered pairs.

Activities

1. On index cards, write enough ordered pairs for each member of the class. Be sure that they do not exceed the numbers you have used on your floor graph.
2. On the open space, lay one strip of 10 foot register paper horizontally. Lay another 10 foot register paper at the midpoint of that strip, extending vertically.
3. Number the register tape accordingly using the scale of 6 inches = 1 unit. Use the integers -10 through 10.
4. Pass out the index cards with an ordered pair to each student.
5. Have each student come to the coordinate plane and stand at his/her ordered pair. Have another class member check to see if the location is correct. If so, have him/her to return to his/her seat. Continue this until each student has had a chance to locate his/her ordered pair.
6. On index cards, write the ordered pairs to letters of the alphabet. For example you could use the letters:W,X,Y,E,A,T,I,F,H,K,L,Z,V,N, and M.
7. Letter W: 1. (-7,6) 2. (-4,0) 3. (0,6) 4. (4,0) 5. (7,6)
8. Divide the class into letter groups so that they will now work as a team.
9. Give the first member of the team a ball of yarn and have him/her locate his/her ordered pair.
10. Have the second member locate his/her ordered pair and the first member, holding end of the ball of yarn, pass it to the second member. This process continues until all members of the team have located their ordered pair and form the letter. By this time, they should be able to identify the letter that they have graphed.
11. Collect the index cards. Review with the students the vocabulary that they have been working with. Also allow the students to ask any questions about graphing.
12. Sometimes I leave this coordinate plane on the floor and use it to review daily with the students or I use it as their ticket out of the door by asking questions about locations on the plane.

Assessment

• Give the students a set of ordered pairs that form a picture when they are located on graph paper and the pairs are connected in order.
• Let the students draw their own picture and name the ordered pairs that they used to draw the picture.
• You may want to use the ordered pairs of the students for the class to complete the picture.
• You may also want the students to play the game of Battleship for practice.

Supplemental information

Comments

I find that the students really enjoy this activity because it allows them to get involved in the lesson. It also allows the student to become more confident in locating ordered pairs. This activity also appeals to those students who have different learning styles and those that have been placed in special programs.

I rearrange my classroom by moving the desk to the outer perimeter of the room and placing the graph in the middle. I let the students make the graph on the floor to review the vocabulary that is used in the lesson.