Drawing with Coordinates

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Year Level

Year 6

Subject

Mathematics

Duration

60 minutes

Australian Curriculum Links

Strand: Number and Algebra
Sub-Strand: Location and Transformation
Code: ACMMG143 – “Introduce the Cartesian coordinate system using all four quadrants.”

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

We Are Learning To:

• Identify and plot points on all four quadrants of the Cartesian Plane
• Use coordinates to draw familiar shapes and images

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Success Criteria

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify the x- and y-axes and label the quadrants correctly
• Plot ordered pairs in all four quadrants
• Create a picture by plotting and connecting points in sequence
• Reflect on how Cartesian coordinates help in creating precise drawings

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Resources Required

• Mini whiteboards and markers
• Printable blank four-quadrant Cartesian planes
• Rulers and pencils
• Worksheet: “Mystery Picture on a Cartesian Plane”
• Extension handout: “Create Your Own Image using Coordinates”
• Support worksheet: “Quadrant Practice - Plot the Points”
• Data projector or smartboard
• Slide deck for teacher’s explanation

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Daily Review – 5 minutes

Location: Students on the mat/front of the classroom

Activity:

• Begin with a quick review of previous learning. Ask:
  • “Who can show me quadrant I using their fingers?”
  • “What are coordinates? How do we write them?”
  • “What does it mean if the x-value is negative?”
• Use the whiteboard to model:
  • A simple 4-quadrant Cartesian Plane
  • Ask students to identify and name coordinates projected on the board (whole-class questioning)

Purpose: Solidify foundation and activate prior knowledge

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2. Explicit Teaching – 20 minutes

Location: Whole-class instruction at the front using smartboard or projector

Explanation & Modelling:

• Introduce the learning intention and success criteria (posted on the board)
• Teacher displays large Cartesian Plane on the board and reviews all four quadrants
• Model plotting points:
  • e.g., A(3, 2), B(–4, 1), C(–2, –3), D(2, –4)
  • Emphasise X first, then Y
• Next, demonstrate drawing a picture by plotting and connecting points: e.g. a simple house, sailboat, or familiar character
• Highlight how plotting carefully results in a recognisable image
• Use real-world examples (e.g., GPS maps, video game graphics) to make it meaningful

Interactive Segment:

• Ask students for a pair of coordinates to plot as a class
• Connect their suggestions in sequence on the board and predict what image might emerge (quick laugh and engagement element)

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3. Independent Task – 25 minutes

Student Activity:
Distribute “Mystery Picture on a Cartesian Plane” worksheets

• Students are to plot the given coordinates and connect them in order
• The final product will be a simple image (e.g. a fish, rocket, heart)

Teacher Role:

• Roam and assist
• Work closely with small group of struggling students at the back table with differentiated scaffolding (see below)
• Check for correct plotting, especially in negative quadrants

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Support Activities (For Struggling Learners)

Worksheet: “Quadrant Practice - Plot the Points”

• Focus only on Quadrants I and II
• Fewer coordinates and larger graph paper
• Colour-by-coordinate task (e.g., plot and shade certain regions)

Teacher Guidance:

• Conduct side-by-side plotting with verbal step-by-step coaching
• Use tactile aids like cut-out arrows to demonstrate direction on axes

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Extension Activities (For Advanced Learners)

Handout: “Create Your Own Coordinate Drawing”

• Challenge students to:
  1. Create an original image on a Cartesian Plane
  2. Write the ordered pairs
  3. Swap with a partner to test if they can replicate the picture

Scaffold Prompts:

• “Try to include points in all four quadrants”
• “Can your image include symmetry or diagonals?”
• Encourage plotting more complex shapes like stars or animals

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4. Review & Conclusion – 10 minutes

Student Reflection:

• Return to whole class as a group
• Discuss:
  • What was easy or tricky about today’s activity?
  • How did the coordinates help you draw accurately?
  • Why might coordinates be useful outside of school?

Exit Ticket (on mini-whiteboard or post-it):
Students answer:

“Plotting points on a Cartesian Plane helps me…”

Display a few good answers aloud to the class

Celebrate Learning:

• Show several student-created images under the visualiser/projector
• Applaud creative ideas from extension task and accurate plotting

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Adaptations & Differentiation

For EAL/D students or those with additional needs:

• Use visual chart of quadrant labels with colours
• Pair work for verbal reinforcement
• Sentence starters like:
  • “I go ___ steps right and ___ steps up.”

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Cross-Curricular Links

Digital Technologies: Connection to coordinate positioning in tablets, coding and screen rendering
Art: Grid-based sketching and symmetry
Geography: Mapping using latitude and longitude systems

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observation during plotting activity
• Completion of mystery picture
• Exit ticket statements
• Extension designs peer-reviewed for accuracy

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Classroom Display Ideas

• A “Coordinate Gallery” showcasing students’ completed drawings
• Anchor chart: “How to Plot Points”

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With its interactive plotting activity and creative expression element, this lesson supports a wide range of learners while embedding curriculum expectations into a fun and engaging context.