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.

A lesson plan for grade 3 Mathematics

By Monica Delanoy

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Related topics

• Learn more about coordinate planes, geometry, mathematics, and review activities.

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

• locate given points on a grid map.
• name given points on a grid map.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

45 minutes

Materials/resources

• Rectangular Tables or taped off rectangles on the floor (one for each group of 6 students)
• Masking Tape (colored tape if available)
• Candy
• Post-it-Notes
• Index Cards

Pre-activities

Teacher will use masking tape to create a grid map on the tables. There should be at least 4 horizontal lines and 6 vertical lines. Post-it notes will be used to label each line. Candy will be placed on various coordinates on the grid map. This can also be done on an area on the floor if tables are not available. Teacher will make game cards by putting each possible coordinate point onto individual index cards.

Activities

1. Students will name points on which there is candy as a group.
2. The teacher (or other student if used as a center activity) will call out various points using the index cards. Students will take turns locating the points. If there is a piece of candy at the point, the student may take it. All students should get several turns to ensure that everyone gets a chance at a piece of candy.
3. Students will then write the rules for the game (ie., the first number means count across; the second number means count up) in their own words.

Assessment

• Teacher observation of naming points correctly.
• Teacher and peer observation of students locating points throughout the game.
• Written application of the steps in point location.