Learn
Students can get accustomed to plotting numbers on this large number line, and demonstrate their understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using number lines. The number plane or Cartesian plane is like two number lines that cross at zero; one of them is horizontal and the other is vertical. This Cartesian coordinate mat will make plotting points a lot more visual and fun.
Kinesthetic and Tactile Learning for Graphing
Our Cartesian Coordinate Mat helps students in grades 5-8 practice their graphing skills, such as practice locating points on the Cartesian coordinate grid, one-to-one correspondence, slope, shapes, transformations, equations of lines, and addition and subtraction.
Additionally, all mats come with a suggested activity guide with math games and drills you can easily use in class. Try one of our favorite activities to get started now!
Partner Battleship (Grades 5-6)
- First, students find a partner and pick a quadrant and on the mat.
- Next, students secretly write down four coordinates from that quadrant.
- Each partner will say a coordinate and, if it corresponds to one of their partner’s points, have them place a marker/object on that point.
- Continue until all four points are “hit” and have partners switch roles.
See one of the games we play at schools under the Learn button below.
Grade Levels: 4-8
Game activities included:
Battleship
Materials needed:
Checkers or game markers in two colours
4 squares to identify the battleship
Whiteboard and marker to identify the ship’s coordinates
I Have . . . Who Has?
Materials needed:
Post-it notes with letters (one for each letter of the alphabet).
Activity cards with statements
I have T, Who has (3,6) Note: H is on the coordinates (3,6)
I have H, Who has (9,0) Note: E is on the coordinates (9,0)
I have E, Who has (6,2) etc.
Four in a Row!
Materials needed:
Checkers/game markers in two colours
Deck of cards with face cards removed
Quadrant 1 on a cartesian grid
Countdown!
Materials needed:
Quadrant 1 on grid
Assorted letters on the grid. These letters are used to create words.
Numbered cards: 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1, Oh no! (optional)
Extension: you can use all 4 quadrants
Shopping Cart
Materials needed:
Pictures of food from a grocery store. They should be approximately the size of a small post-it note.
Spinner divided into 5 sections (free turn, happy face, happy face, happy face, sad face)
If students spin a sad face it means that they forgot their money at home and all of their groceries must be put back on the grid.
Quadrant 1 on the grid. This can be increased to include 2 or all 4 quadrants, as appropriate.
Timer
Move It!
Materials needed:
One spinner with four sections (right foot, left foot, right hand, left hand)
One set of coordinates on index cards e.g.,( 2, 4), (-4,5), (-6,-4)
Two judges/experts to ensure that coordinates are plotted correctly
Get Rich!
Materials needed:
One set of coordinates on index cards e.g.,( 2, 4), (-4,5), (-6,-4). Create cards for the quadrants you want to use.
Assorted play money
Game markers in two colours or shapes
Timer
Unite
Materials needed:
Giant Cartesian Coordinates grid
Deck of cards
Game markers in two colours
Chart with legend to explain the value of the cards
Black cards = positive number
Red cards = negative number
Clubs = quadrant 1
Spades = quadrant 2
Diamonds = quadrant 3
Hearts = quadrant 4
Cartesian Toss
Materials needed:
Two large dice
markers (objects to mark points on the mat)
