I actually remember the first time I ever learned about coordinate plane graphing. I was in 6th grade and I was hating all things math at the time. 6th-grade math is challenging! But we rolled around to graphing in coordinate plane quadrants and I was hooked! All of a sudden, math was easy, and logical, it just made sense again.
Since that day in 6th grade, graphing in coordinate plane quadrants has had a special place in my heart. I love teaching this unit to 5th and 6th graders because it’s the key that some students need to like math just a tiny bit more.
I try to make my graphing in coordinate plane units fun for students- whether I’m introducing quadrant 1 in 5th grade or teaching all 4 quadrants in 6th. Below I’ve rounded up all my favorite resources, games, and activities to make math more engaging for 5th and 6th graders.
How to Graph Coordinate Plane Ordered Pairs
Graphing in the coordinate plane can be tricky for students as order really matters here. If you have never taught how to graph coordinate plane points, then you’ve come to the right place!
Teach Math Vocabulary
This unit has a few key vocabulary words, although not as many as a volume of prisms unit. Be sure to highlight the keywords such as x-axis, y-axis, origin, and ordered pair. Calling these words out during notes and activities is helpful as well as making sure that students are using the correct vocabulary words as they explain their process.
Ideas for Math Posters
Graphing in coordinate plane anchor charts can be a great reference tool for students. This is usually where I highlight the key vocabulary mentioned above. You can also shrink down an anchor chart for students to keep in their math interactive notebooks. This way, students always have access to the reference tool, even if the chart is no longer hanging on the wall. I have some pre-made charts that are already sized for notebooks if you want to grab them for free here!
Order Matters
The biggest mistake I see my 5th and 6th graders make while graphing in a coordinate plane is switching the x and y-ordered pairs. The rhyme (phrase?) I use to help students remember ‘X marks the spot like the ground on a treasure map’ and ‘Y reaches high to the sky. This seems to help students know which axis is which.
The ordered pair (x,y) is in alphabetical order so that makes it a little easier to remember.
Make it Real World
Graphing in the coordinate plane is a real-world concept that can be applied to lots of different scenarios. I try to make math as real-world as possible so showing students when they will use this later creates a lot of buy-ins. Maps are a logical conclusion to draw so I will sometimes have students draw their own treasure map with the ordered pairs leading to different places on the map.
Another idea for this is to use the game battleship as it’s all built on a coordinate plane. I have a few battleship games that I use a math station rotation idea during this unit. Students also love playing it during indoor recess! If you want more math learning center ideas be sure to check out this blog post.
Celebrate Success
This is one of those units that even reluctant mathematicians grasp rather quickly. So celebrate those students! I find that I try to call on students who might not feel confident sharing in other units during my graphing in a coordinate plane unit. I want to build a culture where everyone can do the math and this is a great unit to showcase that mentality. I talk more about celebrating success in my growth mindset blog post. Be sure to check it out here.
Graphing in Coordinate Plane Unit Plan
While this unit doesn’t take me long to teach, I need to have a plan in place before diving in. This graphing in coordinate plane unit is so helpful for making sure that I have taught everything I need to. I love how it comes with the notes, videos, exit tickets that I use to help me make groups in math stations. It also comes with homework (that I use as an independent practice station), quizzes, study guide and 2 tests! Everything I need to teach easily and all in one spot! You can grab the unit here.
- Fill in the blank notes with short videos (5-10 minutes) to match the notes sheet. These are perfect for a flipped classroom or for absent students.
- coordinate plane graphing worksheets for homework or guided practice. These also make easy, independent work for math station ideas.
- Math Exit Tickets for each day of notes are included. They are available in 3 different forms: paper slips, Google Slides to present to the class, and Google Forms for self-grading.
- A mid-unit quiz
- Study Guide to review your entire graphing in the coordinate plane unit
- 2 Versions of the Test for retake options or they can be used for a pretest and post-test data point
- Data Tracking Spreadsheets for simple data tracking on exit tickets, assessments, or Common Core Standards
Coordinate Plane Graphing Activities
After I have the basics to teach with notes, independent practice, exit tickets, and assessments, I move on to the fun stuff! I use a variety of activities- whole group, small group, and digital during my lessons for 5th grade to shake things up.
Coordinate Plane Graphing Activity Pack
This pack is filled with 7 different activities to jazz up your graphing in coordinate plane unit. I personally love the Candy Bar Address lesson! What can be more engaging than taping candy bars to your whiteboard and helping students locate each one using steps (x-axis) and stairs (y-axis)? This is hands down my students’ favorite activity of the quarter!
Another favorite activity from this pack is the Pattern Match Up Cards. Students work to match up the x/y table, with the graph. I like using this match-up game a few times during the unit, it’s a great time filler if a lesson runs shorter than expected.
Coordinate Plane Graphing Worksheet
Want more coordinate plane graphing worksheet practice? I love using solve & color worksheets like this one because they are self-checking for students. These make an easy math station rotation idea or something to leave as emergency sub plans.
Graphing Performance Task
Students love designing for performance tasks so why not use one during your graphing in coordinate plane unit. This performance task is all about creating a treasure map by using ordered pairs to lead someone around the map and find the treasure. Students can get really creative with this one.
Fun for Math Games
This double dice game is a no prep, print, and play math station option. Students roll a dice and create ordered pairs, then compare how close they can get to the origin. I like having simple math stations like this one to pull out if I need a quick rotation.
Want to know more about how to set up math stations? I have a 5 part video series all about how to get started with stations in your 4th-6th grade math class. Drop your email below and those videos will be sent to your inbox for free!
Digital Task Cards for Graphing
Just because we aren’t digitally learning anymore doesn’t mean I want to throw out all of that work in creating digital resources! I like using digital task cards like this set for a technology math station or as easy sub plans. You can also use this set as regular task cards with a recording sheet to help students get more practice in class.
Looking for more Graphing in Coordinate Plane Teaching Tips?
These blog posts have so many other fun ideas to teach graphing in the coordinate plane. Be sure to check them out!
Teaching Coordinate Grids– Teaching with a Mountain View
How to Teach Your Kids to Love Coordinate Graphing– Happy Teacher Mama
10 Coordinate Plane Activities to Save Your Planning Time– Math Idea Galaxy
Graphing on the Coordinate Plane Video– Math Antics
I’d love to hear from you! What is your favorite graphing in coordinate plane activities? Drop your answer below in the comments.
[…] Essentially Common Core breaks geometry into 2 parts, graphing in coordinate plane and classifying 2-dimensional shapes. I have a blog post where I break down how to teach graphing in the coordinate plane if you want to check it out here. […]