Search results

Introduction to polar coordinates

The student will be introduced to the definition of polar coordinates, how to graph them, and how to compare them to rectangular coordinates.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Mathematics)

By vicky burlington.

Beginning lesson on coordinate grids: First quadrant

Students will investigate the first quadrant of the Cartesian coordinate system. They will use online activities developed by Shodor.org to identify the coordinates of points, or plot specific points. Then students will progress to an activity where they direct a robot through a mine field laid out on the coordinate plane. Permission has been granted for the use of the materials as part of the workshop - "Interactivate Your Bored Math Students" by Shodor Education Foundation, Inc.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 Mathematics)

By Bonnie Boaz.

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.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

By Cheryl Sexton.

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.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Mathematics)

By Erin Foerster.

To be or not to be... linear

The student will determine the correlation between two variables. They will graph ordered pairs on a coordinate plane, determine a best fit line, find slope and intercepts, and write the equation of a line. This lesson plan is geared for both 8th grade math and algebra.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Mathematics)

By Kyle Gorton.

Math Fun

We have compiled some of our favorite mathematics instructional resources to help students develop a sense of numbers and how they are used by us everyday. Students will have fun practicing their skills and trying new problem-solving ideas.

Format: bibliography/help

Translations, reflections, rotations

This lesson will allow students to explore translations, reflections, and rotations using a resource of Shodor Education Foundation, Inc. Permission has been granted for the use of the materials as part of the workshop Interactivate Your Math Students. Students explore the world of translations, reflections, and rotations in the Cartesian coordinate system by transforming squares, triangles and parallelograms. Parameters: Shape, x or y translation, x or y reflection, angle of rotation. (Italics are a direct quote from Shodor.org.)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)

By Deborah Bourne.

You sank my battleship

Students will learn how to plot ordered pairs using the coordinate plane and determine in which quadrant these ordered pairs lie. Students will show mastery of plotting ordered pairs by playing Battleship. Modifications have been added for Intermediate Low English Language Learners.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 and 9–12 English Language Development and Mathematics)

By Theadore Taylor and Justine Busto.

Walk the line

This lesson demonstrates the effects of changing the slope and y-intercept on the graph and equation of a line.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Mathematics)

By Carol Huss.

Fire in Pythagorville: Problem-centered lessons

Students will work on problem-centered lessons which use the application of the Pythagorean theorem to put out a fire in the fictional town of Pythagorville.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Mathematics)

By Kelly Crisp.

Gridding a site

In Intrigue of the Past, page 2.2

In their study of how to grid a site, students will use a map and the Cartesian coordinate system to establish a grid system over an archaeological site, labeling each grid unit; determine the location of artifacts within each grid unit; and construct a scientific inquiry concerning the location of artifacts on the site.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Mathematics and Social Studies)

Valentine geometry

Combine geometry construction skills with language arts and artistic ability.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Mathematics)

By Tanis Schick.

Plessy v. Ferguson

The text of the Supreme Court's decision in Plessy v. Ferguson upholding the constitutionality of racial segregation even in public accommodations (particularly railroads), under the doctrine of “separate but equal.”

Format: court decision/primary source

Resources on the web

Line 'em up

In this Illuminations lesson, students learn to plot a point (given its coordinates) and to state the coordinates of a given point using a graphing program for a Texas Instruments graphing calculator. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Finding Your Way Around: Graphing on the Coordinate Plane

Students make their way around two-dimensional space in conceptually rich activities. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

NonEuclid

Download a Java simulation to aid students learning of the basic concepts of hyperbolic geometry. Includes activities and discussions of definitions, proofs, x-y coordinate systems, and more. (Learn more)

Format: website/activity

Provided by: University of New Mexico

Algebra in balance

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students use an interactive pan balance tool to explore algebraic expressions. They determine if algebraic expressions are equal and balance pans to solve a system of equations. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics