Learning Activity

Treasure Map Graphing

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

5, 6

Overview

Students lead a quest for buried treasure in this geometry game. Students must follow clues to identify x- and y-coordinates on a treasure map, to lead them around the island before landing on the pirate booty. Students will also graph points on the coordinate plane.  

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Gap Project.

Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 5

MA19.5.20

Graph points in the first quadrant of the coordinate plane, and interpret coordinate values of points to represent real-world and mathematical problems.

Unpacked Content

UP:MA19.5.20

Vocabulary

  • Coordinate system
  • Coordinate plane
  • First quadrant
  • Points
  • Lines
  • Perpendicular
  • X-axis
  • Y-axis
  • Origin
  • Ordered pair
  • Coordinate plane
  • Horizontal
  • Vertical
  • Intersection of lines

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Specific directions and vocabulary to explain ordered pair location.
  • The first number of an ordered pair indicates how far to travel from the origin in the direction of one axis and the second number indicates how far to travel in the direction of the second axis.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Graph points in the first quadrant.
  • Interpret coordinate values in context of the problem.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • graphing points on a coordinate plane provides a representation of a mathematical context which aids in visualizing situations and solving problems.
Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 6

MA19.6.11

Find the position of pairs of integers and other rational numbers on the coordinate plane.

Unpacked Content

UP:MA19.6.11

Vocabulary

  • Coordinate plane
  • Quadrants
  • Coordinate values
  • ordered pairs
  • x axis
  • y axis
  • Reflection

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Strategies for creating coordinate graphs.
  • Strategies for finding vertical and horizontal distance on coordinate graphs.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Graph points corresponding to ordered pairs,
  • Represent real-world and mathematical problems on a coordinate plane.
  • Interpret coordinate values of points in the context of real-world/mathematical situations.
  • Determine lengths of line segments on a coordinate plane when the line segment joins points with the same first coordinate (vertical distance) or the same second coordinate (horizontal distance).

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • A graph can be used to illustrate mathematical situations and relationships. These representations help in conceptualizing ideas and in solving problems,
  • Distances on lines parallel to the axes on a coordinate plane are the same as the related distance on the axis (number line).

Phase

During/Explore/Explain
After/Explain/Elaborate
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

Students will solve real-world mathematical problems by identifying and graphing points on a coordinate plane using x- and y-coordinates.

Activity Details

This game can be projected on the board to be played as a whole class, or students can use it for individual or partner practice of coordinate plane skills. This activity asks students to identify the coordinates of objects in all four quadrants of the coordinate plane. Fifth-grade teachers may have only focused on Quadrant I, so students may need additional instruction or scaffolding before completing this activity. Treasure Map Graphing may be completed to practice skills or assess after teaching this skill. 

*Note: For negative numbers, students must first click on the number, and then click the red +/- sign. 

Assessment Strategies

Assessment Strategies

In addition to identifying the coordinates for a given object, students also need to be able to plot the object when given the coordinates.

Teachers should assess student understanding by creating a similar coordinate plane in the classroom and asking students to "plot" objects on the plane when given the x- and y-coordinates.

A worksheet similar to this can be used to assess students' ability to identify and graph points: Points in the Coordinate Plane Worksheet 

Variation Tips

For students who have learning deficits, the teacher may choose to modify this learning experience by having students only identify the coordinates of objects located in Quadrant I, or by having students complete a similar activity on a coordinate plane created in the classroom, rather than using this virtual manipulative. 

Background and Preparation

Background / Preparation

Teachers should practice playing the game before showing to students and ensure that students have compatible devices.

Digital Tools / Resources

https://www.education.com/game/treasure-map-graphing/

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

efogleman
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